MALVACEAE. 



93 



cone of the receptacle, and surmounted by gynobasic styles united 

 into a hollow column divided in its upper portion into a great num- 

 ber of reflexed filiform branches, stigmatiferous along their internal 

 edge. Each ovary encloses an ascending ovule with micropyle 

 looking downwards and outwards. The fruit (fig. 14 S) accompanied 

 at its base by the persistent calyx and epicalyx is formed of a great 

 number of achenes, grouped upon the receptacle, from which thev 

 separate at maturity. Each encloses an ascending seed, with 

 embryo analogous to that of the Mallows. Malope consists of 

 annual herbs of the Mediterranean region, glabrous, or covered 

 with hairs, with alternate, entire, or trifid leaves whose petiole is 

 provided at the base with two lateral stipules. 



The flowers are axillary and borne by a peduncle on which is in- 

 serted quite against the calyx three free cordate 

 bracts forming an involucel or epicalyx. 1 Three 

 species 2 are known. With Malope this section in- 

 cludes two very analogous genera with styles stig- 

 matiferous at the apex. These are : Kitaibelia (fig. 

 149) of which we only know as yet one European 

 species having a epicalyx of more than five 

 bracts united below, and carpels first arranged 

 like those of Malope, but partly aborting after 

 anthesis ; a small number of them enclose a fer- 

 tile seed and open longitudinally by their dorsal 

 edge to let it escape ; and Palava, consisting of 

 South American plants, with flowers totally 

 destitute of involucre, the divisions of the style 

 thickened in their upper part, the carpels in- 

 dehiscent at maturity and detached from the 

 receptacle and flowers axillary solitary and pedunculate. 



Kitaibelia vitifolia. 



.wmM 



Fig. 149. 

 Fruit (L ). 



1 According to Payee (loc. cit. 29), "it has 2 Cat., Diss., ii. t. 27, figs. 1, 2. — Keichb., 



three lobes, of which one is posterior, and re- Ic. Fl. Germ., v. t. 165. — Boiss., Diagn., ii. 



presents the bract, while the two others are 100. — Grew, et Godr., Fl. de Fi\, i. 287. — 



anterior, and represent the two stipules." Walp., Rep., i. 290; v. 88; Ann., vii. 382. 



