Genera of the Plants of the United States: Malvaviscus

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Malvaviscus, Dill.

Involucellum 7–12-phyllum. Petala inæquilatera basi hinc lobulo aucta, erecta, in tubum convoluta. Tubus stamineus filiformis longe exsertus. Stigmata 10, capitata. Fructus baccatus 5-locularis, loculis monospermis. Radicula infera.

MALVAVISCUS, Dill. Elth. p. 210. t. 170. Cav. Diss. 3. p. 131. t. 48. Kunth in H. B. K. Nov. Gen. 5. p. 283. DC. Prodr. 1. p 445 (excl. sect. 2?). Endl. Gen. 5278. A. Rich. Fl. Cub. 1. p. 131. t. 14.
ACHANIA, Swartz, Fl. Ind. Occ. 2, p. 1222.

CALYX subtended by an involucel of seven to twelve linear persistent bracts, five-cleft, persistent; the segments valvate in æstivation. PETALS 5, inequilateral, auriculate by a small lobe towards the base on one side, hypogynous, strongly convolute in æstivation, not expanding, but remaining erect and spirally convolute into a sort of tube, the claws united with the base of the stamineal column. STAMENS indefinite, monadelphous; the column long and filiform, much exserted, becoming spirally twisted, its naked apex five-toothed: FILAMENTS short, emitted in several series from the upper part of the tube: ANTHERS oblong or reniform, opening round the convex side. OVARIES combined into a five-celled globular compound ovary; the cells opposite the sepals: STYLES united into one, which is ten-cleft at the apex: STIGMAS 10, terminal, capitate or truncate, minutely hispid. OVULE solitary from the inner angle of each cell, amphitropous, peritropous, the micropyle inferior.

FRUIT baccate, depressed-globose, usually five-grooved, five-celled; the cells one-seeded. SEEDS ascending, obovate. “EMBYRO arcuate in very sparing mucilaginous albumen: COTYLEDONS foliaceous, plaited and infolded: RADICLE inferior.”

SHRUBS, with alternate stipulate usually rounded and obscurely lobed leaves, and axillary peduncles bearing single showy flowers. Corolla usually blood-red or scarlet.

ETYMOLOGY. Name compounded of Malva, mallow, and viscus, birdlime, or something glutinous, from the mucilaginous or pulpy character of the fruit.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Natives of Tropical America, one species growing in the warmer part of Texas. M. Floridanus, Nutt., is, I believe, an Hibiscus.

NOTE. None of the indigenous specimens of M. Drummondii I have examined show the fruit, not has it yet been produced upon the specimens in cultivation in the Botanic Gardens, where the plant flowers freely through the summer.

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