MALVACEAE
NB In APG IV other families are included in the Malvaceae (Bombacae, Sterculiacea and Tiliaceae). This is the Plant Portrait for Malvaceae s.s.
Morphological description
Non-climbing, usually shrubs and bark fibrous.
Leaves
Leaves spiral, simple, no domatia, stipulate. Usually leaves entire (but often lobed), palminerved, with stellate hairs. Sometimes gland on midrib below (Hibiscus).
Inflorescence
Inflorescence.
Flowers
Flower5-merous, actinomorphic, hermaphroditic; sepals connate, petals free, stamens numerous, filaments fused in a tube, and this fused to base of petals; ovary superior. Usually epicalyx, petals contort.
Fruit
Fruit a capsule. Sometimes fruit spiny (Urena).
Seed
Seed.
Different from: Bombacaceae: leaves penninerved, no epicalyx. — Sterculiaceae, Tiliaceae: leaves often with domatia, gynandrophore usually present, stamens usually fewer and not fused to corolla.
Distribution: World-wide, best represented in the tropics. In Malesia 7 native genera, incl.: - Abutilon (pantropical), herbs and shrubs, open places; - Hibiscus (pantropical), shrubs and trees, lowland, mostly open places; - Sida (pantropical), herbs or shrubs, often weedy.
Notes: Several genera represented by introduced, naturalized species. Several species useful to man. — Ornamentals: Hibiscus, Malvaviscus, Pavonia*, Thespesia. — Medicinal use: Sida. — Edible plants: Abelmoschus, Hibiscus. — Binding and clothing: Hibiscus, Gossypium*..
Literature: J. van Borssum Waalkes, Malesian Malvaceae revised, Blumea 14 (1966) 1-213.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Malvaceae 25, 58, 84 - Hibiscus 26, 31, 37, 38 - Sida 38, 95 - Thespesia 19, 26, 38 - Urena 95.
Illustrations: Fig. 102. Hibiscus macrophyllus Roxb. ex Hornem. Fig. 103. Urena lobata L.
Image in PhytoImages for Malvaceae