84 MALVACE^. Sldukea. 



In meadows, more widely diffused than any other species, ranging from Oregon to Northern 

 Mexico, and eastward to Colorado. It varies much in the size of all its parts ; calyx 1 to 3 lines 

 long ; the ])etals from half an inch to an inch long, or sometimes hut little exceeding the calyx. 

 S. Oregana is a stout and branching northern form. 



2. S. humilis, Gray. Much resembling the last, but usually lower and often 

 decumbent at base, with smaller leaves, and somewhat more hairy : flowers fewer 

 and more generally scattered in the racemes : calyx larger, 3 to 6 lines long, Avith 

 acuminate lobes : carpels reticulated and somewhat pubescent. — PI. Fendl. 20. 

 Sida Jel2)hinifolia & Californica, Xutt. in Torr. & Gray, Fl. i. 233 and 235. 



Throughout California in meadows and on hillsides. 



* % Annuals. 



3. S. Harfwegi, Gray. Slender, 1 or 2 feet high, more or less hispidly pubes- 

 cent, especially the j^edicels and calyx : leaves orbicular, the lowest deeply cleft, the 

 upper digitately 5 - 9-parted ; segments linear, entire, acute, usually exceeding the 

 petioles : bractlets hnear, persistent : flowers nearly sessile, in a short terminal spike : 

 calyx 3 to 6 lines long, the lobes acuminate : petals \ to \ inch long, broad and 

 emarginate : carpels strongly reticulated, shortly crested, hispid above on the inner 

 side. — PI. Fendl. 20; Eenth. PI. Hartw. 300. S. delphinifolia, Gray, 1. c. 19, 

 & Gen. lU. ii. 58, t. 120, fig. 10-12. S. hirsnta, Gray, PI. Wright, i. 16; the 

 larger and more hairy form. 



In the valleys of the Sacramento basin. The species was founded on a reduced few-flowered 

 sparingly hispid state. 



4. S. diploscypha, Gray. Pubescent Avith long spreading hairs, 1 or 2 feet 

 high : leaves deeply 5 - 9-cleft with lobed segments, the uppermost often digitately 

 parted; stipules parted: bractlets conspicuous, 5 -7-parted, hispid : flowers nearly 

 sessile in close 3 - 5-flowered clusters : calyx-lobes acuminate : petals J to 1 inch long, 

 broad and emarginate : filaments of the outer stamens united into 5 broad mem- 

 branaceous overlapping lobes, usually enclosing the inner anthers : carpels glabrous 

 much depressed, transversely rugose, longitudinally sulcate above. — PI. Fendl. 1 9. 



Common in grass-fields and by roadsides through Central California. 



5. S. malachroides, Gray. Stout, hirsute, 3 to 6 feet high, tufted : leaves 

 cordate, 2 to 5 inches broad, 3 - 7-angled Avith acutely toothed lobes : bractlets sub- 

 ulate, caducous : flowers small, white or purplish, nearly sessile in close terminal 

 heads on the short leafy branches : calyx-lobes acute : petals narrowly obcordate : 

 sets of stamens indistinct : carpels smooth and glabrous, with a narroAV more or 

 less distinct ridge down the back. — Proc. Am. Acad. vii. 332. Malva malachro- 

 ides, Hook, c^^ Am. Bot. Beechey, 326. S. vitifolia, Gray, 1. c, is a less hispid 

 form. 



From Mendocino County to Santa Cruz. 



4. MALVASTRUM, Cxray. 



Bractlets 1 to 3, or none. Stamineal tube simple, antheriferous at the summit. 

 Styles filiform : stigmas capitate. Carpels 5 or more, 1-ovuled, separating from the 

 axis, often dehiscent, sometimes 2-valved. Seed ascending. — Herbaceous tufted 

 perennials, or shrubby ; the flowers in narrow naked or leafy subpaniculate racemes. 

 Distinguished from Sphceralcea only by the solitary ovules. 



Species about 60, North and South American and S. African. 



* Perennials. 



1. M. Munroanum, Gray. Branching from the base, 1 or 2 feet high, grayish 

 or hoary-pubescent : leaves broadly ovate, usually cordate at base, 3 - 5-lobed or 

 deeply cleft, crenately or acutely toothed, 1 or 2 inches long, equalling or exceeding 



