Malva. | XVIII, MALVACER. | 87 
broad lobes, but those of the stem deeply divided into linear or wedge-shaped 
segments, which are again pinnatifid or 3-lobed, Flowers large, rose-coloured, 
or rarely white, crowded at the summits of the stem and branches, Carpels 
rounded on the back, and very hairy. 
On hedgebanks, roadsides, and in gravelly pastures, in western, central, 
and southern Europe, extending northwards to south Sweden, and east- 
wards to Dalmatia. Not uncommon in England, Ireland, and southern 
Scotland. Fl. summer. 
Ill. ALTHZEA, ALTHAA. 
Involucre of more than 5 bracts, more or less united together at the 
base. Calyx 5-lobed. Ovary and fruit of Malva. 
A small genus, chiefly from the Mediterranean region and western Asia, 
with one or two South African species. 
Tall perennial, covered with a short, velvety down . ° . - 1. A. officinalis. 
Annual, with long, spreading, stiff hairs . J . 2. A. hirsuta. 
The Hollyhock of our gardens is an bee from the Mediterranean 
region. The Althea Frutex of our gardeners is improperly so called, for 
it is a species of Hibiscus (H. syriacus, Linn.). 
1. A. officinalis, Linn. (fig. 198). Marsh Althea, Marsh Mallow.— 
Stock perennial, the flowering stems erect, branched, 2 to 3 feet high, 
covered, as well as the foliage and inflorescence, with a soft, dense, velvety 
down. Leaves stalked, broadly ovate, undivided or 3-lobed, the lower ones 
often cordate at the base, the upper ones narrow. Flowers not large, of a 
pale rose-colour, on short pedicels in the upper axils, or the greater number 
forming almost leafless terminal spikes. Involucre divided into several 
linear segments, much shorter than the 5-lobed calyx. Carpels 15 to 20, 
rounded on the back. 
In marshes, especially in maritime districts, in central and southern 
Europe, and all across Russian Asia, extending to northern Germany, but 
not into Scandinavia. Not uncommon in southern England and some parts 
of Ireland, but not extending to the north of Lincolnshire or Arran, 7. 
rather late im summer, 
2, 4. hirsuta, Linn. (fig. 199). Hispid Althea.—An erect, stiff, but 
rather slender annual, seldom above a foot high, hispid with long, spreading 
hairs. Leaves few, the upper ones divided into 3, 5, or 7 narrow segments. 
Flowers of a pale purplish-blue, on long axillary peduncles, Involucre of 
8 to 10 lanceolate lobes, nearly as long as the calyx, the petals about one- 
half longer. Carpels numerous, somewhat angular on their edges. 
In waste and cultivated places, common in southern Europe, up to the 
Palatinate of the Rhine, and occasionally carried to the northward as a 
weed of cultivation. Introduced as such into Hertfordshire and Kent, 
where it is said to have fully established itself near Cobham. It has also 
been lately found apparently indigenous in north Somersetshire. Fl. 
summer, 
XIX. TILIACEA. THE LIME FAMILY. 
A rather large tropical Order, but limited in Britain to a 
single species, It differs from Malvacee by the petals imbri- 
