Mallow family
Description
A family of mainly herbs and shrubs occurring in most temperate and tropical regions (Malvaceae 1, Malvaceae 3).
The leaves are alternate, simple, usually palmately veined, rich in muculage and often with starshaped hairs. The usually large flowers (Malvaceae 2) are regular with 5 more or less united sepals and 5 free petals, numerous stamens, joined into a tube below, and a superior ovary. The fruit is usually a capsule, or else breaks into many one-seeded nutlets. The seed-coat is often covered with fibres.
There are about 100 genera.
Use
The economic most important genus is Gossypium that yields cotton. Other genera provide fibres and vegetables.
Described species
Gossypium sp., cotton
Gossypium herbaceum, see Gossypium sp.
Gossypium arboreum, see Gossypium sp.
Gossypium barbadense, see Gossypium sp.
Gossypium hirsutum, see Gossypium sp.
Gossypium tomentosum, see Gossypium sp.
Hibiscus cannabinus, kenaf, bimli, bimlipatum jute, Deccan hemp
Hibiscus esculentus, okra, lady’ s finger
Hibiscus sabdariffa, roselle
Urena lobata, aramina fibre, Congo jute, see Hibiscus sabdariffa