112 MALVACE^. Malva. 



gular; bracteoles oblong-linear; carpels numerous, wrinkled. — Eng. hot. t. 1092; Pursh, 

 fl. 2. p. 454 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 163; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 395 ; Torr. <^ Gr.fl. N. Am. 1. p. 225. 



Root perennial. Stem 8-18 inches long, more or less pubescent. Leaves 1 - 2 J inches 

 in diameter, on elongated petioles. Flowers about half an inch in diameter. Petals rose- 

 colored or nearly white, with purple veins. 



Common in waste grounds, and about houses ; often a troublesome weed in gardens. Like 

 most plants of the order, it is mucilaginous, and is often employed as a popular article of 

 medicine ; the leaves being used for poultices, and for demulcent drinks. It is of European 

 origin, but has become naturalized in most parts of North America. 



2. Malva sylvestris, Linn. High Mallow. 



Stem erect, herbaceous ; leaves somewhat acutely 5 - 7-lobed ; peduncles and petioles 

 hairy ; petals obcordate, three times as long as the calyx. — Eng. hot. t. 671 ; Becli, hot, 

 p. 57 ; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 394. 



Root perennial. Stem 2-3 feet high, branched. Leaves 2-3 inches wide. Flowers 

 large, 3-4 together, axillary. Petals obcordate, purplish rose-color, veined. 



Naturalized in some parts of Westchester county (Dr. Mead), 



2. ALTHiEA. Cavan. diss. 2. p. 91 ; Endl. gen. 5270. MARSH-MALLOW. 



[ From the Greek, aUho, to cure ; from the salutary effects of its mucilaginous roots.] 



Calyx surrounded by a 6 - 9-cleft involucel. Carpels numerous, indehiscent, one-seeded, 

 arranged in a circle round the axis. 



1. AtTH^iEA OFFICINALIS, Linn. ' Common Marsh-mallow. 



Leaves ovate, or somewhat cordate, softly tomentose on both sides, toothed, entire or 

 somewhat 3-lobed ; peduncles axillary, many-flowered, much shorter than the leaves. — Eng. 

 hot. 1. 147 ; Bigel.fl. Bost. p. 259 ; Torr. compend. p. 255 ; DC. prodr. I. p. 436 ; Darlingt. 

 f,. Cest. p. 395 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 229. 



Root perennial, fusiform, white. Plant densely clothed with a soft velvety pubescence. 

 Stem 2 feet high or more, erect. Leaves 2-4 inches long. Peduncles 3 - 6-flowered. In- 

 volucre usually 9-parted. Flowers somewhat paniculate, an inch or more in diameter, pale 

 rose-color. 



Borders of salt marshes on the north side of Long Island, Oyster Bay, Flushing, &c. Fl. 

 August - September. Introduced from Europe. 



