60 
XIV. MALVACEAE 
3. HIBISCUS. The classical name of Althcea officinalis , the 
Marsh Mallow. — Tropical and snb-tropical regions of the Old 
World. 
Pubescent or hairy herbs. Stems erect. Leaves simple, 
usually deeply lobed. Flowers axillary, solitary, usually large and 
showy, sometimes forming a terminal raceme. Calyx bell-shaped, 
5-lobed or in H. cancellatus a spathe. Bracteoles numerous or 
in H. Solandra none. Stamens united in a tube bearing on its 
surface numerous nearly sessile anthers, tip truncate or lobed. 
Ovary 5-celled ; styles united for about half their length, stigmas 
capitate ; ovules several in each cell. Fruit a 5-celled, many-seeded 
capsule, enclosed in the persistent calyx and splitting from the top 
in 5 valves. 
Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Linn . ; FI. Br. Lid. i. 340. The Rozelle or Red Sorrel 
of the West Indies is cultivated throughout India for its succulent, acid, red or 
green calyces which make excellent jelly and tarts. Native name Pitwa. 
Calyx bell-shaped, 5-lobed. Flowers f-lf in. diam. 
Bracteoles numerous. Flowers pale yellow with dark 
purple centre 1. H. Trionum. 
Bracteoles none. Flowers pale yellow or white . .2 . H. Solandra. 
Calyx a spathe. Flowers 4-5 in. diam., pale yellow with 
dark purple centre 3 . H. cancellatus. 
1. Hibiscus Trionum, Linn . ; FI. Br. Ind. i. 334. Annual, 
pubescent or hairy. Stems 1-2 ft. Lower leaves orbicular, 1-2 
in. diam. ; upper deeply 3-5-lobed, lobes oblong, 1-2 in., obtuse, 
coarsely toothed, central one longest. Flowers about 1 \ in. diam., 
pale yellow with dark purple centre. Calyx bell-shaped, inflated, 
5-lobed about half way down, lobes broad, acute. Bracteoles 
numerous, linear. 
Sutlej vailey ; July-October.— Throughout India, ascending to 6000 ft. — 
Warm regions of the Old World. 
A widely spread weed of cultivation. 
2. Hibiscus Solandra, L’Herit. ; FI. Br. Ind. i. 336. Annual, 
pubescent or hairy. Stems 1-3 ft. Lower leaves cordate, orbi- 
cular or ovate and long-pointed, 1-2^ in. across, more or less 
3-lobed, crenate or sharply toothed; upper deeply 3-lobed, lobes 
narrowly oblong, toothed. Flowers pale yellow or white, ^-J in. 
diam. Calyx bell-shaped, 5-lobed nearly to its base, lobes narrow, 
pointed. 
Simla, Sutlej valley ; July-October. — Throughout India, ascending to 5000 
ft.— Tropical Africa. 
3. Hibiscus cancellatus, Boxb . ; FI. Br. Ind. i. 342. Annual, 
very bristly. Stems 2-3 ft. Leaves cordate, coarsely toothed or 
crenate : lower ones long-stalked, orbicular or ovate, up to 6 x 5 in., 
more or less 3- or 5-lobed ; upper arrow-head shaped, lobes long, 
