84 ' MALVACE^. 



of sharply five-lobed vine-like leaves, and producing large white 

 flowers, one to a stalk, in the axils of the leaves in the upper 

 parts of the stems. The flowers appear in early summer and 

 continue late. The plant is too gross and not showy enough 

 for select borders; but is well adapted for culture among shrubs, 

 and for introducing into open spaces in woods. Propagate by 

 division. Native of Hungary. 



Malva {Mallow). — In this family we have a little more that 

 is beautiful to select from than we had in any of the preceding 

 genera. It is a rather numerous group, but in the hardy sec- 

 tion of it there are many weedy plants both annual and peren- 

 nial ; but there are also a few among the latter worthy of cul- 

 ture for difl'erent purposes of ornament. They are propagated 

 by division and seeds; other particulars of culture will be given 

 under the difl'erent species. 



M. cordata, syn. Nuttalia cordata {Heart-leaved Af allow). — 

 This species produces stems from i8 inches to 2 feet long. The 

 leaves below are bluntly heart-shaped in outline and are deeply 

 cut, those above become reduced to three narrow lanceolate 

 lobes. The flowers are pink, and appear in summer and autumn. 

 Native of North America. This is a handsome plant when at 

 its best, but is apt to become seedy soon, and exhausts its 

 flowering energies in a short time; it is therefore only suited for 

 secondary purposes, such as giving temporary eff"ect to shrub- 

 bery borders in not much frequented parts of gardens. Suc- 

 ceeds in any good garden-soil if moderately dry. 



M. involucrata, syn. Nuttalia involucrata {Iiivohicred 

 Mallow). — This species produces stems 18 inches or more 

 long, rather prostrate and straggling in habit, clothed with 

 three-lobed leaves heart-shaped in outline, the lobes cut into 

 sharp segments. Flowers on long foot-stalks, one to a stalk, 

 in the axils at the extremity of the stems and branches; purple, 

 with a creamy-yellow centre. This is a handsome plant; but 

 not, I fear, capable of withstanding the winters of the north, 

 especially of Scotland, without protection of some kind. It is 

 fond of peat, and should have a warm sunny position. Pro- 

 pagate by division in spring, and by seed : if sown early in 

 March it may be had in bloom the first year. Native of the 

 Southern States of America. Flowers in summer. 



M. lateritia {B?ick-red Mallow). — This species is prostrate 

 in habit, with hairy stems and leaves ; the leaves, on long 

 stalks, are five-lobed below and three-lobed above. The 

 flowers, red, are on long stalks, and appear in autumn. A very 

 handsome dwarf-plant, suitable for culture on warm rockwork 

 or borders in the milder parts of the country, in sandy peat 



