MALVACEAE MALLOW FAMILY 
VELVET LEAF. INDIAN MALLOW 
Abutilon Theophrasti Medic. 
The Mallow family is extremely important because it 
is the family to which the Cotton plant belongs. A number 
of highly prized ornamental plants, such as Hollyhock, 
Hibiscus and Rose of 
Sharon, are members. 
Stamens of all 
flowers in the family 
are united into a 
sheath or central col- 
umn around the pistil 
and joined with the 
bases of the petals. 
In the first 4 species 
presented, the col- 
umn bears anthers at 
its summit; in the 
last 4it bears anthers 
for a considerable 
portion of its length 
and is 5-toothed at the top. 
The Velvet Leaf was introduced into this country 
from India and is now a common weed everywhere 
in waste places. It is annual and has several names, 
such as Indian Mallow, Butter Print, Buttonweed 
and Pie Marker. The fibers of its stout branched 
stem, 3-6 feet high, are said to be used in China for 
making twine or rope. The whole plant is densely velvety and 
has a somewhat disagreeable odor when handled. The long- 
petioled leaves are heart shaped, 4-12 inches wide, toothed or 
nearly entire, and acuminate but the point blunted. 
The yellow flowers are produced from August to October. 
The calyx is 5-cleft and persistent, and there are 5 yellow petals. 
Stamens are numerous and united into a column bearing anthers 
only at the top. The pistils are also numerous but the ovaries 
are united in a ring so that in fruit they form a several-celled pod 
or capsule. Many seeds are produced and it is said that some of 
them have been known to germinate after they were 60 years old. 
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