Hibiscus.] MALVACEJE. 89 



anricled. Peduncles stiff, spreading, equalling the petioles, prickly. 

 Bracteoles 10-12, linear, with a spathulate appendage. Sepals as long as 

 the bracteoles, very acute at the apex. Corolla about 2 in. long, yellow 

 with a dark centre. Capsule ovoid, acute, hairy ; each carpel 3-awned. 

 8eeds clothed with stiff yellowish hairs. 



Near Delhi (Royle). Disteib. : Bengal to Penang and Ceylon ; also 

 in Trop. Asia, Africa and Australia. 



3. H. Wrtus, Linn. Sp. PI. 694 ; W. Sf A. Prod. 51 ; D. Sf G. Bomb. Fl, 

 20; F. B. I. i,335. H. phoeniceus, Willd. (excl. syn. Linn.); Boxh» FL 

 Ind. Hi, 202. 



Shrubby. Leaves about 3 in. long, ovate, acuminate, serrate, hairy, 

 with a linear gland on the underside of the midrib ; lower often cordate 

 and 3-lobed ; petiole 2 in., hairy ; stipules^ in., linear. Peduncles axil- 

 lary, as long as or longer than the leaves, jointed below the flower, 

 covered with spreading hairs. Bracteoles 5-7, shorter than the linear 

 lanceolate sepals, subulate, hairy. Corolla -g in. across, spreading, pink 

 or white. Capsule globose, shorter than the calyx. Seeds cottony. 



Moradabad, Etawah, Saharanpur, Bundelkhand. Disteib.: Punjab, 

 Konkan ; also in Java Often cultivated 



4. H. micranthus, Linn. f. Suppl. 308, 310; W. (f- A. Prod. 51 ; D. 8( G. 

 .Bomb. Fl. 20; F. B. I. i, 335. H. rigidus, Boxb. Fl. Ind. Hi, 195; Boyle 



III. 83. 



A small shrub or perennial herb, with slender rod-like spreading 

 branches, scabrid with stellate bristles. Leaves |-1 in. long, ovate or 

 oblong, acute, serrate or entire, without glands, petiole very short. 

 Peduncles axillary, as long as or longer than the leaves, jointed near the 

 top. Bracteoles 7-8, linear, shorter than the calyx. Flowers |-| in. across, 

 white or pink. CaZ j/aj-segments lanceolate. Corolla reflexed. Capsule 

 globose, smooth. Seeds black, covered with cottony hairs. 

 ■Common in the drier parts of the area. Disteib.: Hotter parts of India 

 to Ceylon ; also in Trop. Africa and in Arabia. Roxburgh says that the 

 green capsules are eaten by children. In Ceylon it is valued as a febri- 

 fuge. 



5. H. Solandra, L'Herit. Stir p. Nov. 103, t. 49 ; Roxb. Fl. Ind. Hi, 197 ; 

 ,F. B. I. i, 336. H. pumilus, Roxb. I.e. 203. Lagunea lobata, Willd.; W. & 

 A. Prod. 55;D.S^ G. Bomb. Fl. 21. 



An erect annual, 1-2 g ft. high. /Stems slightly branched, pubescent or 

 somewhat hispid. Lower leaves long-petioled, ovate ; upper more or less 

 deeply 3-lobed ; uppermost sometimes 3-foliolate : all cordate, acute, 

 coarsely serrate, hairy on both sides ; stipules setaceous. Peduncles 1-1^ 

 in., 1-flowered, jointed near the top, arranged in a loose leafless terminal 

 raceme. Bracteoles linear, minute or usually 0, Flowers |-f in across, 

 distant, yellow or pink. Sepals connate below, triangular, acute. Petals 

 obliquely obcordate. Capsule ovoid, pointed, hairy at the top, not exceed- 

 ing the calyx. Seeds blackish^ tubercled 



-Not uncommon within the area. Disteib. : Westward to the Punjab, 

 and eastward and south to Sikkim, Burma and Ceylon ; also in E. Trop. 

 Africa. 



