Descriptive Flora 



137 



Stamens numerous, united at their bases similar to all mallows. 

 Fruit about 14" across, consisting of small carpels arranged in a 

 circle around a central axis similar to the fruits of wine cups and 

 hollyhocks. March to July. In the sandy region to the south 

 and east of San Antonio. Flowers close at night. 



Pavonia lasiopetala Scheele. Rose Mallow 



A lovely mallow with gorgeous pink, rose-like flowers and 

 soft- velvety, alternate, ovate or heart-shaped leaves. Flowers 

 rose-pink to rose-red, over 1 inch across, solitary on long pedicels 

 in the axils of the leaves. Petals 5. Calyx consists of 5, ovate, 

 3 to 5-nerved sepals united below the middle, and a circle of 5 

 slender bractlets at the base of the sepals. Stamens united in a 

 tube at base. March to June. Rich, shaded ledges of limestone 

 rocks and hillsides. 



Malvaviscus drummondii Torr. & Gray. Mexican Apple. 



Red Mallow. 



Spreading plants with large, velvety leaves and brilliant 

 crimson, tubular flowers that have a long, red, twisted stamen- 

 tube surpassing the corolla at least half an inch. Leaves simple, 

 alternate. Blades 2 to 4" broad, rounded in outline, shallowly 

 3-lobed, with heart-shaped base. Petioles shorter than the blades. 

 Petals 5, rolled lengthwise into a tube. Stamens twisted in a red 

 column and extending about y% inch beyond the corolla. Fruit 

 flat, red, edible, apple-like bodies, the source of one of its com- 

 mon names. Spring to fall. Usually in shaded places. Some- 

 times cultivated. 



Spharalcea cuspidata (Gray) Britton. Pompadour Mallow. 



Nigger- weed. "Hierba negra". 



Ashy-green plants 1 to 4 feet high, with rose to salmon 

 flowers blossoming up the ever lengthening, erect, leafy stems. 

 Leaves simple, alternate. Blades rough with tiny, star-shaped 

 hairs, narrowly oblong to lanceolate, wavy margined and irregu- 

 larly scalloped, usually with a larger lobe at base. Flowers 



