Nectariferous tube shorter than the calyx, flattened on 
each side, gibbous at the base, purple, villosely hairy. Pe¬ 
tals 5, the two upper ones broadest, cuneate with a shallow 
notch at the point, attenuated towards the base, of a light 
purple, with a dark velvetty interrupted spot in the centre, 
below which are numerous dark lines, branching off in va¬ 
rious directions, and some of them crossing each other: 
the three lower petals linear, acute, pale lilac, marked from 
the base with two faint red lines. Filaments 10 , connected 
at the base, 7 bearing anthers, which are always sterile in 
the specimens that we have examined. Style purple, 
densely hairy, the hairs spreading. Stigmas 5 , dark purple, 
revolute. 
Our drawing of this curious plant was made at the 
Nursery of Mr. Colvill, in April last; he received it several 
years since, from M. Parmentier, of Enghein; but we do 
not recollect by what name it was sent; it appears not; 
to be described, as we do not find any description that 
agrees with it; but is without doubt a hybrid production, 
intermediate between P. cordatum and one of the lobed- 
leaved sorts, and is very different from all others; its ap^ 
pearance is very similar to Malva ahutiloides, which has 
afforded us a characteristic name; it is of free growth, an 
abundant bloomer, and comes early into flower in Spring, 
so that we consider it as well worth cultivating; it only 
requires protection from frost in Winter, succeeding well in 
a Greenhouse, or the window of a warm room, and thrives 
well in a rich light soil; young cuttings, planted in pots* 
and placed in a sheltered situation, will soon strike root. 
