G. 10] 



CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION 



71 



south (30 ft. high in Georgia), hardy, and rarely cultivated as far 

 north as Philadelphia, or still farther north if slightly sheltered. 



ORDER VI. MALVACEAE. (MALLOW FAMILY.) 



A large family, mainly of herbs, found in tropical and 

 temperate regions. One cultivated species, almost a tree, 

 is included in this work. 



GENUS 9. HIBf SOUS. 



Herbs or shrubs ; one sometimes tree-like, with simple, 

 deciduous, alternate, stipulate, usually lobed leaves. Flow- 

 ers large, showy, 5-parted (Hollyhock-shaped), in late sum- 

 mer. Fruit a 5-celled, many-seeded 

 pod, ripe in autumn. 



Hibiscus Syrlacus, L. (TREE HIBISCUS.) 

 The only woody and sometimes tree-like 

 species; has ovate, wedge-shaped, 3-lobed, 

 toothed leaves, and large (3 in.) white, purple, 

 red, or variegated flowers. Usually a shrub, 

 6 to 15 ft. high, often cultivated throughout ; 

 introduced from Syria. H. Syriacus. 



ORDER VII. STERCULJACEJE. 



Trees or shrubs (a fewareherbs), 

 with alternate leaves, and the sta- 

 mens united into a tube. A large 

 order of tropical plants. 



GENUS 10. STERCtTLIA. 



Leaves alternate, simple, usually 

 lobed ; ovaries more or less divided 

 into 5 carpels, each 2- to many- 

 lobed ; fruit when ripe forming a 

 star of 5 distinct pods. 



8. platanifolia. 



