MALVACEAE MALLOW FAMILY 



VELVET LEAF. INDIAN MALLOW 



Abutilon Theophrasti Medic. 



The Mallow family is extremely important because it 

 is the family to which the Cotton plant belongs. A number 

 of highly prized ornamental plants, such as Hollyhock, 

 Hibiscus and Rose of 

 Sharon, are members. 



Stamens of all 



flowers in the family 



are united into a 



sheath or central col- 

 umn around the pistil 



and joined with the 



bases of the petals. 



In the first 4 species 



presented, the col- 

 umn bears anthers at 



its summit; in the 



last 4 it bears anthers 



for a considerable 



portion of its length 



and is 5-toothed at the top. 



The Velvet Leaf was introduced into this country 

 from India and is now a common weed everywhere 

 in waste places. It is annual and has several names, 

 such as Indian Mallow, Butter Print, Buttonweed 

 and Pie Marker. The fibers of its stout branched 

 stem, 3-6 feet high, are said to be used in China tor 

 making twine or rope. The whole plant is densely velvety and 

 has a somewhat disagreeable odor when handled. The long- 

 petioled leaves are heart shaped, 4-12 inches wide, toothed or 

 nearly entire, and acuminate but the point blunted. 



The yellow flowers are produced from August to October. 

 The calyx is 5-cleft and persistent, and there are 5 yellow petals. 

 Stamens are numerous and united into a column bearing anthers 

 only at the top. The pistils are also numerous but the ovaries 

 are united in a ring so that in fruit they form a several-celled pod 

 or capsule. Many seeds are produced and it is said that some ot 

 them have been known to germinate after they were 60 years old. 



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