Part 116. The mallow family (Malvaceae). Examples: cotton (Figs. 214-216) and marshmallow (Fig. 158).

See pages 410,411 for formulas of Gossypium, Althaea, and Malvaceae.

Several new features are presented in this family. An involucel is commonly present close to the flower, recalling the epicalyx of strawberries, but here we have bractlets in place of stipules. The aestivation of the corolla is such that one edge of each petal overlaps its neighbor, while the other edge is in turn overlapped by the next in order. Aestivation of this type is termed convolute.1 The andrcecium appears to consist of a number of stamens borne upon a long tube enclosing the styles. This tube shows at the top, more or less distinctly, five projections which give evidence that the andrcecium consists really of but five stamens coalesced by their filaments to form the tube, and branched above into the numerous stalks bearing pollen-sacs. Curiously enough each branch bears only a single pollen-sac and is thus equivalent to but half of an ordinary anther.

1 Con'vo-lute - L. con, together; volvere, roll. P'' is the sign.

The expression FA oo ÷ 5)] would read "stamens numerous, divided into five groups, monadelphous, and adhering to the petals." As a result of this adhesion the petals, although distinct, fall off in connection with the stamen-tube (as the fruit ripens) much as if they were coalescent.

The fruit of marshmallow (Althaea) represents a type very common in the family. Although indehiscent, the basal part of the several carpels, as they ripen, separate into as many nutlets, each containing a single seed. The fruit thus returns to a condition very like that of a cluster of anemone achenes. A fruit thus splitting into one-seeded pieces is called a schizocarp.2

2 Schiz'o-carp - Gr. schizo, I split; karpos, fruit. Cj - -f- °°.

The family comprises mostly herbaceous plants rich in mucilage; with flowers often involucellate, seldom fragrant; petals convolute and distinct; stamens numerous, monadelphous, adhering to the corolla; anthers with only one pollen-sac; styles more or less distinct.

Part 117. The Mallow Order

Part 117. The mallow order (Maivales) contains several families having mostly cymose inflorescences of complete, regular, and hypogynous flowers; with the petals distinct (though often adhering to the pentadelphous or monadelphous stamens) and opposite the stamen-groups; and the pistils with axile placentoe.

See pages 410, 411 for a typical formula of the order.