64 MALVACE^. 



Herbs usually hirsute, with alternate angulate or hastate- 

 lobed leaves on slender petioles, subulate stipules, and solitary 

 axillary peduncles bearing single flowers. Corolla violet, 

 white, or yellow. 



Etymology. The origin and application of the name are not explained by 

 Cavanilles. It has been thought to come from avoBos, impassable, impervi- 

 ous ; the application of which is not apparent. But Schlechtendal (in 

 Linnaa, 11. p. 205) has directed attention to the true source of the name, 

 which is mentioned by Burmann {Thesaur. Zeyl. p. 1) as the Ceylonese 

 generic appellation of Abutilon and some other allied plants. 



Geographical Distribution. A genus of six or seven known species, 

 all natives of Mexico. One of them was also found growing spontaneously 

 around Lima, by Dombey ; and it has recently been gathered by Dr. Riddell 

 in Texas, where it is doubtless indigenous. A. cristata, Schkcht. (A. triloba 

 and A. Dilleniana, Cav.) has long been in cultivation. 



Note. Anoda is a tolerably well-marked genus, differing from Sida in 

 the depressed stellate fruit, from Abutilon in the solitary ovules, and from 

 both in the obliteration of the dissepiments of the originally many-celled 

 capsular fruit, the firmer exterior part of each carpel at length falling away 

 from the axis like a kind of replum, usually carrying the seed with it. — The 

 column is slightly five-lobed at the summit, (the lobes opposite the petals, in 

 the normal mode of Malvaceae,) and the styles also show a tendency to form 

 five parcels, which are deflexed between the divisions of the stamens. — The 

 species are not yet well distinguished. 



PLATE 124. Anoda hastata, Cav., Schlecht.; — from an incomplete 

 specimen gathered in Texas by Riddell, combined with a cultivated 

 specimen in flower and fruit. 



1. Vertical section of the column, pistil, &c., magnified. 



2. Transverse section of the compound ovary, magnified. 



3. Enlarged transverse section through the receptacle in fruit, with the 



remaining part of one carpel, or valve, and its seed, in place ; the 

 dissepiments or sides of the carpels being entirely obliterated. 



4. A similar valve and seed from the opposite side, equally enlarged. 



5. A similar valve, detached. 



fi. A'crtical section of a seed and embryo, magnified. 



7. Embryo entire (brought into a vertical position), magnified. 



