MALVAC&M. 



155 



divided into linear or wedge-shaped seg- 

 ments, 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 hedge-banks, roadsides, and in 

 gravelly pastures, in western, central, 

 and southern Europe, extending north- 

 wards to south Sweden, and eastward to 

 Dalmatia. Not uncommon in England, 

 Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. 



Fig. 195. 



III. AlaTHJBA. ALTEUEA. 



Involucre of more than 5 bracts, more or less united together at the 

 base. Calyx 5-lobed. Ovary and fruit of Mallow. 



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 . 



Annual, with long, spreading, stiff hairs 2. Hispid A . 



The Hollyhock of our gardens is an Althcea from the Mediterranean 

 region. The Althaea frutex of our gardeners is improperly so called, 

 for it is a species of Hibiscus (H. syriacus, Linn.). 



1. Marsh Althaea. Althsea officinalis, Linn. (Fig. 196.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 147. 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. 

 Elowers not large, of a pale rose-colour, on short pedicels in the upper 

 axils, or the greater number forming almost leafless terminal spikes, 

 nvolucre divided into several linear segments, much shorter than the 

 o-lobed calyx. Carpels 15 to 20, rounded on the back. 



