124 t:±lL MALVACEifi. [Hibiscus. 



deciduous as only to be seen on the very young buds. Calyx about fin. long, 

 shortly 5-toothed, splitting laterally and deciduous. Petals lin. or rather more, 

 glabrous. Capsule ovoid-oblong, "acute, 5-angled, pubescent. Seeds hairy. — 

 Ahelmosclms ficulneus, W. et. Arn. Prod. i. S3; Wight, Ic. t. 154; A. cdburiihciis, 

 F. V. M. Fragm. i. 67. 



Hab.: In basaltic tropical and subtropical plains, Fitzroy Plains, and Eockhamptoii. 



The species is common in some parts of the B. Indian peninsula, and includes H. strictus, 

 Boxb. Fl. Ind. iii. 206, and probably also H. prostratvs, Boxb. I.e. 208. The plant figured by 

 Beichenbach, Icon. Exot, t. 161, with persistent broid bracts, is a different species. — Benth. 



Stem and root of young plant roasted in the ashes and eaten, like a potato. — Palmer. 



2. H. rhodopetalus (red petals), F. v. M. Herb.; Benth. Fl. Austr. i. 209. 

 An erect or decumbent coarse annual, of 1^ to 8ft., more or less hirsute with long 

 bristly hairs. Leaves (except the lowest) more or less deeply 5-lobed, the lobes of 

 the lower ones short and broad, of the upper ones oblong or lanceolate, often 2 to 

 Sin. long, more or less toothed, the lowest leaves often entire and cordate, and the 

 uppermost lanceolate-hastate, Flowers large, red, on axillary pedicels longer 

 than the petioles. Bracteoles 8 to 12, linear, distinct, persistent, usu.ally shorter 

 than the calyx. Calyx pubescent, 6 to 7 lines long, minutely 5-toothed, splitting 

 laterally and deciduous. Petals 1\ to above 2in. long. Capsule oblong-ovoid, 

 acute, 5-angled, longer than the bracteoles, very hispid. — Abelmoschiis rhodopetalus, 

 F. v. M. Fragm. ii. 112. 



Hab.: Woody streams, Point Pearce, and Brisbane Elver. 



This species is very nearly allied to the common East Indian H. Ahelmosclms, LinB., differing 

 chiefly, as observed by F. v. Mueller, in the colour of the flowers (red not yellow) and in smaller, 

 more divided leaves. — Benth. 



3. H. ManihOt (Manihot), Linn.; DC. Prod. i.-448; Benth.. Fl. Austr. i. 

 210. A tall herb, sprinkled with a few pungent bristly hairs, more copious on 

 the peduncles, otherwise glabrous. Leaves deeply pinnate ; lobes 5 to 9, 

 lanceolate, the larger ones narrow, 4 to 5in. long, more or less toothed. Flowers 

 large, yellow with a purple eye, on rather long pedicels in the axils of the upper 

 reduced leaves. Bracteoles 5, herbaceous, biroadly lanceolate, fully lin. long, 

 roughly pubescent, persistent long after the flower has fallen. Calyx , shorter 

 than the bracteoles, shortly 6-tooted, tomentose, deciduous. Petals fully 2|^in. 

 long. Capsule oblong. If to 2in. long, 5-angled, hispid especially on the angles 

 with stiff bristly hairs. — Bot. Mag. t. 8152; Abetmoschus Manihot, "W&l-p. Rep. i. 

 311 ; Hibisais pentaphyllus, Roxb. Fl. Ind. iii. 212. 



Hab.: Shoalwater Bay and other tropical parts. 



The species is frequently cultivated in eastern tropical Asia and in the islands of the Archi- 

 pelago and the Pacific, but we have no certain record of it in a wild state. — Benth. 



4. H. STotho-lVEanihOt (a spurious form), F. v. M. Fragm. v. 57, ix. 130. 

 A shrub, 15ft. high. Leaves palmately divided into front) 5 to 9 lanceolate, 

 acuminate, irregularly toothed lobes, the larger ones about 6in. long and f to lin. 

 broad ; petioles 1 to bfin. long, glabrous. Stipules b or 4 lines long, caducous, 

 linear-subulate. Pedicels axillary ; involucral bracts 5 or 6, lanceolate, acute, 

 slightly pilose. Calyx silky inside,, bilabiate, the apex of the lips with 2 or 8 short 

 teeth or entire. Corolla white with a reddish centre, about 2in. long, staminal 

 column about lin.; anthers yellow. Capsule 1^ to 2fin. long, ovate, acuminate, 

 6-angled, hispid. Seeds numerous, ovate or renate-globose, puberulent, about 

 If line. 



Hab.: Eockingham Bay, J. Dallachy (F. v. M.) 



5. H. trionum (said to be derived from three divisions of the 

 leaf), Lirm.; DC. Prod. i. 458 ; Benth. Fl. Austr. i. 210. Bladder 

 ketmia. An erect annual or perennial of short duration, usually 

 1 to 2ft. high, scabrous-pubescent or shortly hirsute. Leaves 2 to Sin. Ion?, 



