TILIAOE^. 141 



Tall perennial, covered with a short, velvety down . . . . .- . .- . 1. ifarsh A. 

 Annual, with long, spreading, stiff hairs 2. Hispid A. 



The Hollyhock of our gardens is an AWicEa from the Mediterranean 

 region. The Althcsa frutex of our gardeners is improperly so called, for it 

 is a species oi Sibisaus (H. syriaous, Lmn.). 



1. Marsh Althaea. Althaea ofiEiciiialis, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 147. Marsh Malloio.) 



Stock perennial, the flowering stems erect, branched, 2 to 3 feet high, 

 covered, as well as the foliage and inflorescence, with a soft, dense, velvety 

 dowii. Leaves stalked, broadly ovate, undivided or 3-lobed, the lower 

 ones often cordate at the base, the upper ones nai-row. Flowers not large, 

 of a pale rose-colour, on short pedicels in the upper axils, or the greater 

 number forming almost leafless terminal spikes. Involucre divided into 

 several Unear segments, much shorter than the 5-lobed calyx. Carpels 15 

 to 20, rounded on the back. 



In marshes, especially in maritime districts, in central and southern Eu- 

 rope, and all across Russian Asia, extending to northern Germany, but not 

 into Scandinavia. Not uncommon in southern England and some parts of 

 Ireland, but not extending to the north of Lincolnshire or Arran. Fl. 

 rather late in summer. 



2. Hispid Althaea. Althaea hirsuta, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2674; flowers too red.) 



An erect, stiff", but rather slender annual, seldom above a foot liigh, 

 hispid with long, spreading hairs. Leaves few, the upper ones divided 

 into 3, 5, or 7 narrow segments. Elowers of a pale purplish-blue, on long 

 axillary peduncles. Involucre of 8 to 20 lanceolate lobes, nearly as long ag 

 the calyx, the petals about one half longer. Carpels numei'ous, somewhat 

 angular on their edges. 



In waste and cultivated places, common in southern Europe, up to the 

 Palatinate of the Rhine, and occasionally carried to the northward as a 

 weed of cultivation. Probably introduced as such into Kent, where it is 

 said to have fully estabhshed itself near Cobham. Fl. srnnmer. 



/ 



XVII. THE LIME FAMILY. TILIAOEiE. 



A rather large tropical Order, but limited in Britain to a 

 single species. It differs from the Mallow family by the 

 petals imbricated but not twisted in the bud; the stamens 

 free, or shortly united into several bundles ; the anthers 

 2-celled, and the carpels more completely consolidated into a 

 several-celled ovary. 



I. LZME. TILIA. 



Trees with alternate leaves, deciduous stipules, and small cymes of 

 flowers on an axillary peduncle, to which is attached a long, leaf-hke bract. 

 Sepals 5, valvate in the bud. Petals 5. Stamens numerous, very shortly 



