XXXII. 
HIBISCUS ACERIFOLIUS 
Maple-leaved Hibiscus. 
Ordinem Naturalem et Characterem Generis, vide sub No. 22. 
x» Caulis inermis. 
H. caule lignoso: stipulis per angustis: foliorum laminis basi rotundatis, palmato.3-fidis, pro= 
funde dentatis : bracteis 7, calyce brevioribus, ligularibus. 
Locus natalis haud innotuit, apud Sinenses cultus. 
This is unquestionably a very distinct species from the Syriacus of Linné, in which the leaves 
are wedge-shaped at the base with much shorter petioles. It was sent to Mr. Hooker by E. 
Woodford, Esq. in whose -stove it flowered during the months of Febwary and March last. 
Branches slender and while young pubescent. Stipules very narrow and soon turning ash- 
coloured, Petioles an inch long or more, very slender and pubescent on their upper side. 
Leaves palmate, the upper ones 3-fid, deeply toothed, acuminate, a little pubescent while young, 
Flowers axillary, dark purple. Peduncles thicker and shorter than the Petioles, pubescent. 
Bractes in the 3 flowers I saw 7, half an inch long and very narrow. Calyx longer than the 
Bractes, divided to the middle into wedge-shaped segments. Corolla semidouble. It may easily — 
be propagated by cuttings, 
