SHRUBBY SYRIAN MALLOW. 



HIBISCUS SYRIACUS. 



MALVACEAE. MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA. 



This shrub is better known among gardeners and nurserymen 

 by its old name of Althaea Frutex. French, ketmie; Italian, 

 chetmia. 



THIS elegant shrub grows six or seven feet high, with 

 many branches. The leaves are large, deeply cut into 

 several divisions, of a cheerful green, and delicate tex- 

 ture. In August appear the flowers, which are mallow- 

 shaped, large, and numerous. There are several va- 

 rieties, differing in the colour of their flowers ; one has 

 white flowers, with a purple centre ; another has yellow ; 

 some have several shades of purple, with white, and a 

 black centre; some of rose colour and white, with a 

 purple centre ; and others are finely variegated with all 

 these colours. In mild seasons, there is a succession of 

 flowers till near the end of September. 



This shrub is singularly beautiful ; it is a native of 

 Syria ; is much cultivated in Cochin China ; and, for 

 hedges, in Japan. According to Parkinson, it was cul- 

 tivated in England in 1529 ; and Martyn observes, that 

 it was probably a new shrub at that time, as he sets it 

 down as tender, to be kept in a large tub or pot, in the 

 house or a warm cellar. Gerarde, in 1597, speaks of it 

 as a stranger in England ; adding, that he has sown the 

 seeds in his garden, and is expecting their success. 



