X 



86 THE MALLOW FAMi^t. Malv*. 



curled mallow (M. crispa) from central Asia, are often to be met with in 

 cottage gardens. Several Cape species are also in cultivation. 



1. M. rotundifolia, Linn. (fig. 196). Dwarf M. Aprocumbentannual, 

 with a hard, sometimes woody-looking base, the stem 6 inches to a 

 foot long, tough, and slightly downy. Leaves on long stalks, orbicular, 

 cordate at the base, with 5 to 7 very short and broad crenate lobes. 

 Flowers clustered in the axils of the leaves, small, and of a pale bluish 

 colour, on pedicels to 1 inch long. Petals 4 to 5 lines long. CarpelP 

 about 15, downy, and rounded on the back, so as to form together a 

 disk-shaped fruit, slightly furrowed on the margin between each two 

 carpels. 



On roadsides and in waste places, throughout Europe and western 

 Asia, except the extreme north. Common in England, rarer in Ireland 

 and southern Scotland, still more so further north. PL spring to 

 autumn. 



M. parvijlora, Linn. (M. pustila, With., lorealis, Wallm.), from southern 

 Europe and extending north into Scandinavia ; has been introduced 

 with ballast. It has the small flowers of M. rotundifolia, but is chiefly 

 distinguished by the carpels not rounded, but flat on the back, with 

 angular edges, as in the M. sylvestris. M. verticillata, Linn., from 

 southern Europe and central Asia, with the flowers and fruit of M. 

 parvijlora, but erect stems, and the flowers in close clusters, has appeared 

 occasionally in cornfields. 



2. M: sylvestris, Linn. (fig. 197). Common M. A biennial, with 

 several erect or ascending stems, 1 to 2 or even 3 feet high, more or 

 less clothed with spreading hairs, especially in the upper part. Leaves 

 on long stalks, orbicular, slightly cordate at the base, with 5 or 7 lobes, 

 broad and short, but always deeper than in M. rotundifolia, and the 

 middle one often longer than the others. Flowers in axillary clusters, 

 usually of a reddish-purple ; the petals about 9 or 10 lines long. 

 Carpels usually 10, flat on the back, with angular edges, so that the 

 fruit has rather projecting ribs than furrows between the carpels. 



In waste places, on roadsides, &c. Common in Europe, except at 

 high northern latitudes, and extending all across Russian Asia. 

 Abundant in England and Ireland, decreasing to the northward, and 

 probably not indigenous north of the Grampians. PL summer. 



3. M. moschata, Linn. (fig. 198). Musk M. A perennial, with several 

 erect, simple or slightly branched stems, about 18 inches high, covered 

 with long, spreading hairs. Radical leaves orbicular, with short, broad 

 lobes, but those of the stem deeply divided into linear or wedge-shaped 

 segments, which are again pinnatifid or 3-lobed. Flowers large, rose- 

 coloured, or rarely white, crowded at the summits of the stem and 

 branches. Carpels rounded on the back, and .very hairy. 



On hedge-banks, roadsides, and in gravelly pastures, in western, 

 central, and southern Europe, extending northwards to South Sweden, 

 and eastwards to Dalmatia. Not uncommon in England, Ireland, and 

 southern Scotland. Fl. summer. 



III. ALTHffiA. ALTHAEA. 



Involucre of more than 5 bracts, more or less united together at tbf 

 base. Calyx 6-lobed. Ovary and fruit of Malm. 



