MALVACEAE 37 



65. AI/THA V EA, L, 



[Gr. aft/io, to heal ; from its reputed virtues.] 



Involucel 5- to 10- or 12-parted. Carpels numerous, arranged as in 

 Malva, each 1-seeded. 



1. A. OFFICINALIS, L. Leaves ovate or sub-cordate, often 3-lobed, 

 velvety; peduncles axillary, many-flowered. 

 OFFICINAL ALTHAEA. Marsh Mallow. 



Perennial. Stem 2 to 4 feet high, simple. Leaves 2 to 4 inches long ; petioles 1 to 

 2 inches long. Flowers pale-red, subpaniculate; common peduncles about as long 

 as the petioles, 3- to 6-flowered. 

 Hob. Gardens, &c. Nat. of Europe. PL July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This was formerly much (and is yet, occasionally) cultiva- 

 ted, for its mucilaginous qualities. The A. rosea, Cavan. or Holly" 

 hock, is to be seen in almost every garden ; but is scarcely to be 

 regarded as fully naturalized. 



66. IIIBIS'CUS, L. 



[An ancient classical name, for one of the mallow tribe.] 

 Involucel of many linear bracts. Styles united; stigmas 5 to 10, 

 capitate. Carpels cohering in a 5- or 10-celled capsule; valves 

 loculicidal. 



1. H. Tribnum, L. Leaves deeply 3-lobed; lobes lanceolate, the 

 middle one much the longest; calyx inflated, membranaceous, with 

 bristly ribs, 5-winged at summit. 



THREE-LOBED HIBISCUS. Bladder Ketmia. Flower-of-an-hour. 



Annual. Stem 9 to 18 inches high, somewhat branched. Leaves 1 to 2 or 3 

 inches long, petiolate. Flowers greenish-yellow, with a purple spot at base, axil- 

 lary, solitary, fugacious; peduncles about as long as the petioles. Stigmas 5. Cap- 

 sule 5-celled. 

 Hob. Gardens, and lots. Nat. of Italy. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



2. H. ESCULE"NTUS, L. Leaves palmately 5-lobed, cordate at base ; 

 calyx bursting lengthwise ; capsule pyramidal, sulcate-angled. 

 ESCULENT HIBISCUS. Okra. 



Annual. Stem 2 to 3 or 4 feet high, stout, somewhat branched. Leaves 3 or 4 to 

 6 inches long, and wider than long, lobed half way to the base ; petioles 3 to 6 

 inches long. Flowers pale greenish-yellow with a dark-purple spot at base, axil- 

 lary, solitary, on short peduncles. Stigmas 8 or 10, purplish. Capsules 2 to 4 or 

 6 inches long, erect, 8- or 10-angled, 8- or 10-celled. 

 Hob. Gardens, and lots. Nat. of India. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This is cultivated for the sake of its young pods, or cap- 

 sules, which are remarkably mucilaginous, and esteemed by many 

 persons as an ingredient in soups. 



ORDER XIX. TILIACEAE. 



Trees, or shrubby plants ; leaves alternate, with deciduous stipules ; flowers axillary, 

 small; sepals valvate, and petals imbricated, in the bud; stamens somewhat poly- 

 adelphous ; anthers 2-celled ; seeds albuminous. 



This, like the preceding, is a mucilaginous family of plants ; and some of the 

 species are also remarkable for the texture and strength of their bark. The liber, 

 or inner bark of the Tilias, separates readily into thin layers, or strips, which are 

 extensively woven into matting, in the North of Europe ; and the Gunny-bags, of 

 commerce, are manufactured from the fibrous bark of two species of Corchorus. 



