Malvaceae

Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual.

Flowers: Actinomorphic. Stamens are MONADELPHOUS (filaments fused). Bracts below calyx may be present - called an EPICALYX (e.g. in Gossypium).

Inflorescence: Flowers solitary or in compound cymes.

Fruits: Capsules, schizocarps, or berries.

Habit: Herbs, shrubs, rarely trees. Often with stellate pubescence.

Leaves: Alternate, simple, with stipules.

Examples:
Food
Abelmoschus (or Hibiscus)

A. esculentus (okra). Fruits on a plate. X.S. of fruit. Note the mucilage!

Fiber
Gossypium

G. hirsutum (cotton). Field of cotton in flower. Plant in flower. Immature fruit.
G. lanceolatum (cotton). Plant in flower and fruit. Base of flower showing epicalyx. Flower L.S.
G. barbadense. Fruiting plants in their native environment. Plant in fruit.

Weeds
Abutilon

A. theophrastii (velvet leaf). Habit of plant in flower. Flower. Flower L.S. Immature fruit and in cross section. Mature fruits (schizocarps).

Ornamentals
Abutilon

A. X hybridum (Chinese lantern, flowering maple). Flowering shoot.
A. 'Cynthia Pike'. Flowering plant growing along a wall at Kew Gardens, UK.

Alcea

A. rosea (hollyhock). Habit of plant in flower.

Hibiscus

H. rosa-sinensis. Flower. Portion of flower showing monadelphous stamens. Flower L.S. Flower and ovary X.S.

Beautiful Wildflowers
Callirhoe

C. involucrata (poppy mallow). Habit of plant in flower. Closer view of flower.

Iliamna

I. remota (Kankakee mallow - a rare and endangered plant). Plant in flower. Flower. Flower L.S. Fruits.

Thespesia

T. populnea (seaside mahoe). Habit of plant in flower. Branch with flowers and fruits.

Curiousity
Pavonia

P. spinifex. Flower. Spiny schizocarp!

SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture19Fagal/Malvaceae.html
Last updated: 19-Mar-08 / dln