108 XXII. MALVACE^. [Lavatera. 



the inaer side. Fruit-carpels in a depressed circle, indehiscent, verticillate round 

 the torus or axis, which is usually prominent beyond them, either conical or 

 variously dilated above them. Seed ascending. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees, tomen- 

 tose or hirsute. Leaves angular or lobed. Flowers pedunculate, axillary or in a 

 terminal raceme. 



The greater number of species are from Western Europe or the Mediterranean region, one 

 extending into central Asia ; there are also two from the Canary Islands, besides the subjoined 

 Australian species, which is endemic but nearly allied to one of the European ones. — Benth. 



1. Iia plebeia (plebeian) /Si?»s in Bot. Mag. t. 2269 ; Benth. Fl. Austr. i. 

 185. A coarse, erect herb, becoming woody at the base and attaining the height 

 of 5 to 10ft., more or less scabrous or softly tomentose with minute stellate hairs. 

 Leaves on long petioles, orbicular-cordate, 5 or 7-lobed, the lower ones sometimes 

 attaining 6in. diameter, the upper ones 1 to 2in.; the lobes short, broad, very 

 obtuse and crenate, the central one of the upper leaves often longer than the 

 others. Stipules narrow-lanceolate or triangular. Pedicels axillary, usually 

 clustered, rarely solitary, sometimes very short and rarely exceeding lin. Invo- 

 lucre deeply 3-lobed, the lobes ovate, obtuse, shorter than the 5-lobed calyx. 

 Petals pale-rose or whitish, 1 to l^in. long. Carpels of the fruit 6 to 15, in a 

 close ring, with flat backs and sharp angles, the receptacle projecting from the 

 central depression as a small conical point. — Hook. Fl. Tasm. i. 46 ; F. v. M. PL 

 Vict. i. 166 ; Malva Behriana, Schlecht ; Lavatera Behrimia, Schlecht ; Malta 

 Preissiana, Miq. 

 Hab.: Southern parts of the colony. 



In the early . days of South Australia the aborigines of the Adelaide tribe largely used the 

 young fleshy roots of this mallow for food, cooking in ovens sunk in the ground. — F. M. B. 



*2. MALVA, Linn. 

 (NaUie from its emollient qualities.) 



Bractioles 8, distinct. Sepals 5, connate at the base. Petals emarginate, 

 connate at the extreme base. Staminal-tube antheriferous to the top, without 

 sterile teeth. Ovary many-celled ; styles as many as the carpels, stigmas linear ; 

 ovules 1 in each cell. Eipe carpels 1 -seeded, indehiscent, separating from a short 

 conical torus. Seeds ascending. — Downy herbs. Leaves lobed. Flowers in 

 axillary tufts. 



The species of this genus are only found in the temperate regions of the Old World. 



The following species are met with as cultivation weeds. 



Plant erect, pubescent. Flowers in nearly sessile clusters 1. ilZ. verticillata. 



Plant erect, glabrous. Peduncle as long or longer than the flowers ... 2. M. sylvestris. 



Plant spreading, slightly pubescent, claw of petal bearded 3. M. rotundifolia. 



Plant spreading, slightly pubescent, claw of petal glabrous i. M. parviflora. 



1. M. verticillata (whorled), Linn. Stem branched, 2 to 4ft. high. 

 Leaves cordate, orbicular, 5 or 6-lobed, downy; petiole 6 or Tin. Flowers 

 small, nearly sessile, densely crowded. Bracteoles linear. Sepals deltoid- 

 lanceolate. Petals notched, slightly longer than the sepals. Carpels 10 to 12, 

 enclosed within the accrescent calyx, netted on the sides, prominently ribbed at 

 the back. 



Hab.: Naturalised on waste places about townships. 



2. M. sylvestris (forest plant), Linn. Annual, 1 to 8ft. high. Leaves 

 cordate, rounded, lobed ; petiols 4 or 5in. Peduncles about lin. Bracteoles 

 ovate, entire, shorter than the bell-shaped calyx. Corolla l^in. diameter. Petals 

 notched, claw-bearded. Carpels reticulate, downy or glabrous. 



Hab.: Naturalised on waste places about townships. 



