SKCT. ri 



PHANEROGAMIA 



59/ 



(Fig. 496). Perennial herbs, with long-stalked, palraately-veined leaves. Flowers 

 solitary or in small cymose inflorescences, in the axils of leaves. Three, free 

 segments of the epicalyx. Petals usually rose-coloured, deeply notched. In 

 Althaea the whole plant is clothed with stellate hairs giving it a soft velvet}- 

 appearance. Epicalyx of 6-9 segments united at the base. 



2. Hibiscmc. — Fruit, a capsule usually formed of five carpels with a correspond- 



FiG. 597. — Flowering branch and open fruit vf GosinplHiK herbaixuni (i nal. size). Official. 



iug number of loculi. Hibiscus is frequently cultivated as an ornamental plant. 

 Gossypiiim, shrubs with three- to iive-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 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. barbadense, 

 G. arborcum, G. lierbaccum (Fig. 597). 



Official. — Gossypium barbadense and other species yield gossyi'IUM. 



2Q 1 



