MALLOW FAMILY. 



G5 



Obs. This foreigner is extensively naturalized ; and althougli some- 

 what popular as an ingredient in cataplasms and demulcent drinks, ig 

 generally regarded as an unwelcome intruder in yards and gardens. 

 M. Sylvestns, L., with an erect branching stem, 2-3 feet high and much 

 larger flowers, is naturalized in Western New York. The Curled Mai' 

 low (M. crispa) is found in old gardens. 



3. SI'DA, L. SiDA. ' - 



[The ancient Greek name.] 



Involucel none. Calyx 5-cleft. Petals usually oblique. Styles 5 or more. 

 Friut when ripe separating into as many 1-seeded carpels as there are 

 styles, which usually become 2-Yalved at the summit and at length sepa- 

 rate from the axis. Embryo bent with the radicle pointing upwards. 



1. S. spino'sa, L. Leaves ovate, lanceolate or oblong with a tubercle at 

 the base of the petiole. 



SpIXOSE SIDA. 



Annual. Stem 10-18 inches long, low and branched. Leaves about 2 inches long, ser- 

 rate, petioled. Peduncles axillary, solitary, 1-flowered, shorter than the petioles, articu- 

 lated near the yellow flower. 



Road-sides and waste places ; more common southward. Native of India. July -August, 



4. ABU'TILOX, Tournef. Ixdiax-mallow. 



[A name supposed to be derived from the Arabs.] 



Carpels numerous, cohering and forming a compound capsule, spreading 

 at the summit where each splits open along the inner edge, scarcely 

 separating at maturity. Seeds 2 - 9 in each carpel. 



1. A. AvicenncB, Gaertn. Leaves orbicular-cordate, acuminate, crenate- 

 dentate, velvety-tomentose ; peduncles axillary, shorter than the petiole. 



Avicexxa's Abutilox. Indian-mallow. Yelvet-leaf. 



Boot annual. Stera 2 - 4 or 5 feet high, branched, ieaves 4 - 6 or 8 inches long ; petioles 3 

 -5 inches long. Petals yellow. Carpets 12-15, verticillately arranged in a flattened, 

 somewhat bell-shaped head. 



Cultivated lots and waste places : introduced. Native of Europe and Asia. Fl. July 

 -September. jPr. August- Ociober. 



Obs. This foreigner is a worthless and troublesome intruder — frequent 

 in Indian-corn fields, Potato patches, and other cultivated lots — and is 

 of a size sufficient to be a nuisance. It should be always carefully eradi- 

 cated before it matures its seeds. 



