80 Malvacee—Palava. 
3. PALAVA. 
This genus has the carpels irregularly disposed in a head 
like the two preceding genera, but it is readily distinguished 
from them by the absence of involucral bracts. Three species 
are described, from Peru and Chili. 
1. P. flecudsa. — 
An elegant annual 
with slender stems 
about 1 foot high, 
bipinnatifid pilose 
petiolate leaves, and 
showy lilac-purple 
flowers on long slender 
peduncles. 
4. ALTH ASA, 
Tall or dwarf hairy 
herbs with lobed leaves 
and axillary solitary or 
racemose flowers. In- 
volucel 6- to 9-lobed. 
Staminal column long, 
filaments free at the 
top. Carpels arranged 
in a regular whorl, 1- 
seeded, indehiscent. 
About twelve species, 
from temperate and 
warm countries. dA. 
oficindlis is the 
Marsh Mallow. From 
ado, to heal or 
cure. 
1. A. résea (fig. 52). 
Hollyhock.—This 
noble plant is the 
principal ornamental 
species in this family. 
Fig. 52. Althea rosea. (q wat. size.) It came originally 
from the Levant, and has been in cultivation about three 
It is often treated as a biennial, but it is really 
The ordinary single-flowered form, although very 
centuries. 
perennial. 
