DISTRIBUTION OF THE MALVACEAE IN SOUTHERN AND 
WESTERN TEXASi 
Herbert C. Hanson 
(Received for publication December 6, 1920) 
Introduction 
In connection with the eradication of the pink bollworm of cotton the 
writer was assigned the project of studying the distribution and abundance of 
the malvaceous plants in various parts of Texas. This work was done under 
the direction of Dr. W. D. Hunter, in charge of the pink-bollworm eradi- 
cation work of the Federal Horticultural Board. The reason for making 
this survey was to determine if the malvaceous plants other than cotton 
were of importance in relation to the eradication of the pink bollworm 
{Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders). Throughout the entire survey no 
indication of the insect was found on any of the malvaceous plants other 
than cotton. 
From June to December, 191 8, and in June and November, 1919, the 
extreme southeastern section of the state, embracing Hardin, Jefferson, 
Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, and parts of Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria 
counties, were thoroughly scouted. In June, 1919, the vicinity of Hearne, 
ICQ miles northwest of Houston, was examined. In June and July, 1919, 
the areas in the vicinity of Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Pecos were 
studied. From January to June, 1919, and in August, 1919, a strip 20 to 80 
miles wide on the Texas side of the Rio Grande from the Gulf of Mexico 
to New Mexico was scouted. 
The species of Malvaceae found in the areas studied are discussed under 
the following life zones: i. Semi-tropical Gulf Strip of the Lower Austral 
Zone; 2. Austroriparian Division of the Lower Austral Zone; 3. Lower 
Sonoran Division of the Lower Austral Zone ; and 4. Upper Sonoran Division 
of the Upper Austral Zone. 
I. Semi-tropical Gulf Strip of the Lower Austral 
The Semi-tropical Gulf Strip includes that part of Texas along the coast 
below the 100-foot contour line. This strip, involving approximately the 
Coast Prairie, is about 60 miles wide. It is divided into the Humid Section, 
the area east of the 97th meridian; and the Xerophytic Section, the area 
west of the 97th meridian. 
1 Published with the permission of the Secretary of Agriculture. 
192 
