DIV. n 



ANGIOSPERMAE 



649 



in the axils of leaves. Three free segments of the epicalyx. Petals usually rose- 

 coloured, deeply notched (Fig. 666). In Althaea the whole plant is clothed with 

 stellate hairs, giving it a soft velvety appearance. Epicalyx of 6-9 segments 

 united at the base. The fruit is a schizocarp consisting of numerous carpels 

 arranged in a whorl. 



Hibiscus and Gossypium are shrubs with three- to five-lobed leaves with long 

 stalks. Flowers with a large epicalyx of three segments, which completely covers 

 the calyx. Fruit of three to five carpels, loculicidal. Seed of Gossypium covered 

 with long hairs which aid in its dispersion by the wind. When stripped from 

 the seeds and cleaned these hairs 

 form cotton wool. The most 

 important species of Cotton are 

 G. barbadcnse, G. arbor eum, G. 

 herbaceum (Fig. 667). 



FIG. 608. Tiliaceae. Floral diagram 

 (Tilia). (After EICHLER.) 



A 



FIG. 669. Tilia ulmifolia. A, Inflorescence (a), with 

 bract (ft), (nat. size). B, Longitudinal section of 

 fruit (magnified) ; o, pericarp ; p, atrophied dissepi- 

 ment and ovules ; q, seed ; r, endosperm ; s, embryo ; 

 t, its radicle. (After BERG and SCHMIDT.) 



FIG. 670. Sterculiaceae. 

 Floral diagram (Theo- 

 broma). (After EICHLER.) 



OFFICIAL. Gossypium bdrbadense and other species yield 



Family 2. Tiliaceae. Plants with simple stalked leaves provided with 

 deciduous stipules. Calyx polysepalous. Aestivation of calyx and corolla valvate. 

 Stamens completely free from one another with introrse anthers ; usually only 

 the inuer whorl is present and has undergone branching (Fig. 668). Style simple. 



Most of the genera are tropical. The herbaceous species of Corchorus yield 

 Jute. In Britain two species of Tilia, Lime, occur. These are stately trees with 

 two-ranked petiolate leaves, the stipules of which are soon shed. The leaves, 

 which have a serrate margin, are asymmetrical. The inflorescence (Fig. 669 A] 

 is coherent with a bract tor half its length ; this serves as a wing in the distribu- 

 tion of the fruit. The umbel - like inflorescence of the Lime is composed of 

 dichasia ; Tilia platyphyllos has 3-7, T. parvifolia 11 or more flowers in the 



