Hibiscus.'] XXV. Malvaceae (masters), 195 



in<^ above into 5 branches, each terminated by a capitate stigma. Capsule 

 coriaceous, loculicidally 5-valved, somL'tinics (§ Parilium) with false dissepi- 

 meuts. Seeds reniform, angular or subglobose, f^labrous downy or woolly. 

 — Herbs shrubs or small trees, generally more or less downy or hairy, some- 

 times glabrous. Leaves polymoj-phous, generally palmately divided. Sti- 

 pules usually small and deciduous. Flowers generally Jarge and showy, often 

 with a dark purple centre, and in many species changing colour at difl'crent 

 times of the day. 



A genus rich in species, which are, for the most part, widely distributed throuph the 

 tropics, a few extending into more temperate regions, such us Japan, China, the south of 

 Europe, etc. 



Calyx persistent. 



Bractlets of the epicalyx distinct, entire. Seeds smooth, pu- 

 bescent or tubcrcled, ftot cottony. 



Calyx ventricose 1. if. Trionum. 



Calyx not vetitricose. 



(Capsule obtuse or depressed at the apex. 

 Capsule winged. 



Bracts oblong, spathulate, as long as the calyx . . 2. H. dictyncarpus. 

 Bracts linear, filiform, shorter than the calyx . . . 3. //. vitifolius. 



Capsule not winged 4. //. tepidospermu4. 



Capsule pointed. 

 Annual. 



Calyx segments 1 -nerved 5. //. obtusilobus. 



Calyx segments 3-nerved; nerves green .... 6. H. intermediia. 

 Perennial. 



Stem prickly 'J. H. diversifolius. 



Stem smooth. 



Bracts exceeding the calyx S. II. pentaphyllus. 



Bracts shorter than the calyx. 



Flowers numerous, in terminal, ultimately leaf- 

 less, simple racemes. 



Flowers crowded, corymbose 9. //. corymbosus. 



Flowers remote. 



Calyx shorter than the ripe fruit . . 10. //. Kukii. 

 Calyx as long as the ripe fruit . . . .11. H. physaloides. 

 Flowers numerous, in leafy much-branched pa- 

 nicles or cymes 12. II . rhabdctoapermiit. 



Flowers few. Peduncles nearly as long as the 



floral leaves 13. //. articulatns. 



Bracts of the epicalyx distinct, forked or provided with a 

 foliaceous appendage. Seeds pilose. (Sect. Furcana.) 



Plant trailing. Stipules broad, subrcniforra W. II. suraKmsis. 



Plant erect. Stipules linear, hispid. 



Peduncles short. Bracts nearly as long as the calyx . .15. H./urcalus. 

 Peduncles as long as or longer than the petioles. Bracts 



much shorter than the calyx 10. //. rostellatus. 



Bracts of the epicalyx united at the base or confluent with the 

 base of the calyx. Seeds not cottoHy. 

 Epicalyx of 5 bracts. 



Flowers in terminal generally leafless psetulo-racemea . . 17. 11. lunariifoliut. 

 Flowers not racemose. 



Sepals broadly ovate, acute 18. 11. plaiycalyx. 



Sepals narrow or at least acuminate. 



Bracts spathulate, acute, subglabrous 19. If. eafycinua. 



