Hibiscus. MALVACE^. 115 



§ 2. Abelmoschus, DC. Cells of the capsule many-seeded : seeds smooth, or with a villous line on 

 the back: leaves of the involucel 8-15, distinct, entire. 



2. Hibiscus Moscheutos, Linn. Mallcno Rose. 



Leaves ovate, acuminate, serrate, often 3-lobed, whitish tomentosc underneath, somewhat 

 scabrous-pubescent above; peduncles (1-flowered) and petioles often united. — Cavan. diss. 

 3. t. 65./. 1 and 2 ; Michx.Jl. 2. p. 47 ; Bot. mag. t. 882 ; Pursh, jl. 2. p. 445 ; EU. sk. 2. 

 p. 165 ; DC.prodr. I. p. 450 ; Torr. compend. p. 255 ; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. I. p. 107 ; Torr. 

 ^- Gr. fl. N. Am. l.p. 237. H. palustris, Linn. ; Pursh, I. c. 



Perennial. Stem 3-5 feet high, minutely pubescent. Leaves about 5 inches long and 

 3 wide, mostly obtuse at the base ; velvety underneath, unequally dentate-serrate, sometimes 

 with three short acute lobes : petioles an inch and a half long. Peduncles either free or coa- 

 lescing with the petioles at the base, articulated near the calyx. Leaflets of the involucel 

 linear. Flowers about as large as in the common Hollyhock, pale purple or sometimes nearly 

 white, with or without a crimson centre. Petals obovate. Stamineal column about one-third 

 the length of the petals. Styles exserted : stigmas large, capitate. Capsule as large as in 

 H. Syriacus. 



Borders of marshes, particularly near salt water, but not rare in the interior of the State. 

 August - September. A showy plant, sometimes cultivated in gardens. 



^3. Trionum, Medik. Cel s of the carpel many-seeded : seeds smooth; involucel many-leaved : calyx 

 membranaceous, at length inflated. — Annual plants. 



3. Hibiscus Trionum, Linn. Bladder Ketmia. Venetian Mallow. 



Leaves toothed ; lower ones nearly undivided, upper ones deeply 3-parted ; lobes lanceolate, 

 the intermediate one very long. — DC. prodr. \.p. 453 ; Beck, hot. p. 58 ; Darlingt.f.. Cest. 

 p. 396. H. pallidus, Raf. 



Stem 12 - 13 inches high, sparingly hispid. Leaves somewiiat liairy ; segments incisely 

 toothed or almost pinnatifid. Flowers axillary, solitary. Involucel of 9 - 10 linear leaflets, 

 hispid. Calyx large, with about twenty prominent hispid ribs, 5-cleft, 5-winged at the apex. 

 Petals greenish-yellow with a purple spot at the base. Seeds rough. 



In gardens and cultivated grounds : partially naturalized. A native of the south of Europe 

 and Africa. July - August. 



15* 



