154 



THE MALLOW FAMILY. 



The small-flowered M. (M. parvijlora, Linn., or M. pusilla, Eng. 

 Bot. t. 241), from southern Europe and other warm climates, and ex- 

 tending northward into Scandinavia, is said to have been formerly 

 found in Kent. It has the small flowers of the dwarf 3f., but is chiefly 

 distinguished by the carpels not rounded, but flat on the back, with 

 angular edges, as in the common M. The whorlcd M. (M. verticillata, 

 Eng. Bot. Suppl.t. 295B), from southern Europe and central Asia, with 

 the flowers and fruit of the small-flowered 3f., but erect stems, and the 

 flowers in close clusters, has appeared in cornfields near Llanelly, in 

 South Wales. 



2. Common Mallow. Malva sylvestris, Linn. (Fig. 194.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 671.) 



A biennial, with several erect or as- 

 cending stems, 1 to 2 or even 3 feet high, 

 more or less clothed with spreading 

 hairs, especially in the upper part. Leaves 

 on long stalks, orbicular, slightly cor- 

 date at the base, with 5 or 7 lobes, 

 broad and short, but always deeper than 

 in the dwarf M., and the middle one 

 often longer than the others. Elowers 

 in axillary clusters, usually of a reddish 

 ^21^k purple ; the petals about 9 or 10 lines 

 long. Carpels usually 10, flat on the 

 back, with angular edges, so that the 

 fruit has rather projecting ribs than 

 furrows between the carpels. 



In waste places, on roadsides, etc. 

 Common in Europe, except at high 

 northern latitudes, and extending all 

 across Russian Asia. Abundant in Eng- 

 land and Ireland, decreasing to the 

 northward, and probably not indigenous 

 north of the Grampians. Fl. summer. 



Fi£. 194. 



3. Musk Mallow. Malva moschata, Linn. (Eig. 195.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 754.) 



A perennial, with several erect, simple or slightly-branched stems, 

 about 18 inches high, covered with long, spreading hairs. Badical 

 leaves orbicular, with short, broad lobes, but those of the stem deeply 



