XXXVI. MALVACEAE. 281 



its outer surface ; anthers reniform, simple, 1 -celled, opening in 2 valves by a semi- 

 circular slit ; pollen echinulate. OVARY sessile, composed of 5 or more carpels, rarely 

 3-4, sometimes whorled around a more or less developed central axis, sometimes 

 dilated at the top, sometimes attenuated into a column, free or connate, sometimes 

 agglomerated into a head ; styles terminal, united below, stigmatiferous at the top 

 (Abutilon, Hibiscus, &c.), or throughout their length (Malva, Lavatera, Malope, &c.) ; 

 ovules one or more on the ventral angle of each carpel, campylotropous or seini- 

 anatropous, sometimes ascending or horizontal, with a ventral or superior raphe 

 (Callirhoe) , sometimes pendulous witji a dorsal raphe (Sida). FRUIT of several free 

 cocci, or septicidally splitting into cocci which are indehiscent or ventrally dehiscent, 

 sometimes a loculicidal capsule, with 5, 3, or several septiferous valves ; very rarely 

 fleshy (Malvaviscus) . SEEDS reniform; testa crustaceous, usually wrinkled, sometimes 

 hairy (Gossypium, Fugosia, Hibiscus), rarely pulpy; albumen mucilaginous, scanty or 0. 

 EMBRYO curved ; cotyledons foliaceous, plaited, or variously contorted ; radicle next 

 the hilum, inferior in the ascending seeds, bent upwards in the pendulous ones. 



TRIBE I. MALOPE^. 



Calyx involucelled, or rarely naked. Carpels numerous, 1-celled, 1-ovuled, joined 

 into a capitulum, separating from the axis when ripe. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 * Malope. * Kitaibelia. * Palava. 



TRIBE II. HALVED. 



Calyx involucelled. Carpels 5-oo , whorled, separating from the axis when ripe, 

 or united into a capsule with several cocci. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 * Althaea. * Lavatera. * Malva. * Sphseralcea. *Pavonia. *Goetbea. 



TRIBE III. HIBISCEJE. 



Calyx involucelled. Carpels 3-5-10, united into a loculicidal capsule, rarely inde- 

 hiscent (Thespesia), or berried (Malvaviscus) . 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 'Hibiscus. * Malvaviscus. *Lagunaria. 'Gossypium. 



TRIBE IV. SIDEJB. 



Calyx naked. Carpels 5-oo , rarely 1-2 (Plagianthus), whorled, united into a 

 loculicidal capsule of many cocci. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 Sicla. * Abutilon. * Plagianthus. 



