| Malvaceae
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These are trees, shrubs or grasses with fibrous stems or bark that bear glandular trichomes. Leaves are alternate, petiolate and the petiole of the primary stem being bigger. Stipules are present. The lamina is palmately lobed and shows actinodromous venation. Flowers are hermaphrodite and actinomorphic as well as axilliary in nature. Epicalyx may be present or absent depending on the genus. The calyx has valvate lobes, bears very rare spathes and is either persistent or dehiscent. The 5 petals are free among themselves but fused to the staminal column. Stamens are fused into a staminal column that surround the style. The ovary is superior, the
number of ovules varying from one to numerous per locule. The style is
simple at the base but rather branched at the top, the number of branches
being either in the same number or twice that of the carpels. The fruit
exist in the form of a capsule or a schizocarp. The grains have hairy testa.
Hibiscus The genus comprises some 250 species in tropical and subtropical regions. These are trees or bushes,
sometimes with spines. The leaves are entire and more or less deeply
lobed. Flowers may be axiliary, solitary or sometimes close together
at the tips of the branches when showing racemose or paniculate inflorescence.
The corolla is large and brightly coloured with a more darkly coloured
region at the centre. There are 5 very deciduous petals that are
free among them but fused to the staminal column. The stamens are
numerous and are found on the whole length of the column. Anthers
are formed by only one pollen sac. The style is slender inside the
staminal column, but exceeds it and is divided into 5 branches. The ovary
is pentalocular or decalocular. The fruit is a capsule with woolly or smooth
seeds.
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