MALVACEAE. 



371 



calyx (epicolyx) or involucre (fig. 274 &). Petals equal in number to 

 the sepals; aestivation twisted (fig. 264). Stamens 00 (fig. 578 a), 

 hypogynous, all perfect; filaments monadelphous (fig. 578 t) or 

 polyadelphous (fig. 551); anthers monothecal (fig. 328), reniform 

 (fig. 579), with transverse dehiscence. Ovary formed by the union 

 of several carpels round a common axis (figs. 452, 580), either distinct 

 or cohering ; styles as many as the carpels (fig. 578 s), united or free. 

 Fruit capsular or baccate; carpels one or many-seeded, sometimes 

 closely united, at other times separate or separable (figs. 383, 580) ; 

 dehiscence loculicidal (fig. 449) or septicidal. Seeds amphitropal or 

 semi-anatropal ; albumen 0, or in very small quantity; embryo curved 



580 ' 



(fig. 583) ; cotyledons twisted or doubled (fig. 584). Herbaceous 

 plants, trees or shrubs, with alternate stipulate leaves (fig. 576 s), 

 more or less divided, and often with stellate hairs (fig. 82). They are 

 found chiefly in tropical countries, and in the warm parts of the tem- 

 perate zone. Lindley enumerates 37 genera, including 1000 species. 

 The order has been divided into three tribes : 1. Malveaj, an in- 

 volucre present; fruit apocarpous or separable. 2. Hibisceas, an 

 involucre; fruit syncarpous. 3. Sideas, no involucre; fruit either apo- 

 carpous or syncarpous. Examples Lavatera, Malva, Hibiscus, Sida. 

 782. The plants of the order are all wholesome, and yield mucilage 

 in large quantity. Some furnish materials for cordage, others supply 

 cotton. Malva sylvestris. Common Mallow, and Althcea qfficinalis, Marsh 

 Mallow, are employed medicinally, as demulcents and emollients. 



Fig. 578. Vertical section of the flower, i, Caliculus, epicalyx, or involucre ; c, calyx ; p, petals ; 

 /, tube of monadelphous stamens, forming an arch above the ovary, o, and united at the base 

 to the petals; a, anthers at the summit of the filaments, free; s, styles free at the summit, united 

 below. 



Fig. 579. A renifonn monothecal anther, dehiscing transversely, separated with the upper 

 part of the filament 



Fig. 580. Fruit, surrounded by the persistent calyx, c, consisting of whorled carpels united 

 together by the axis, a. 



Fig. 581. A separate carpel viewed laterally. 



Fig. 582. Exalbuminous arnphitropal seed. 



Fig. 583. Curved embryo. 



Fig. 584. Section of the embryo, to show the doubled cotyledons. 



