Malva L.

5. Malva L. View in CoL 2

Herbs. Epicalyx-segments 2-3, free. Petals emarginate or 2-lobed, purple, pink or white. Stigmas lateral, filiform. Fruit a schizocarp; mericarps numerous, 1-seeded, indéhiscent, dark brown or black, arranged in a single whorl around the short, conical or flattened apex of the receptacle.

Many species are variable in indumentum and leaf-shape. In most species the basal leaves are subentire. Sepal-characters refer to the fully open flower, unless the contrary is stated; the measurements exclude the basal part of the sepal which is fused to others.

Three hybrids have been reported among European species: 5 x 6; 8 x 1 2; 11x12. It is possible that the apparent variability of some species is due, at least in part, to hybridization.

All European species except 6 are found principally in dry, open habitats; they are also nitrophilous, and usually occur, therefore, as ruderals or weeds of cultivated ground. It is almost impossible, for this reason, to determine accurately the geographical limits as natives of many of the species.

1 Sepals linear to narrowly triangular, more than 3 times as long

as wide 2 Staminal tube glabrous 4. eretica

2 Staminal tube pubescent 3. stipulacea

1 Sepals ovate or triangular, not more than 3 times as long as wide

3 Epicalyx-segments ovate or ovate-deltate, not more than 3

times as long as wide

4 Ripe mericarps smooth or faintly ribbed; lower flowers solitary in leaf-axils 5. alcea 4 Ripe mericarps distinctly reticulate; lower flowers 2 or more in each leaf-axil

5 Petals 12-30 mm, 3-4 times as long as sepals; lower surface of sepals with numerous small, stellate hairs 8. sylvestris 5 Petals 10-12 mm, not more than 2-5 times as long as sepals; lower surface of sepals with few stellate hairs or none

9. nicaeensis 3 Epicalyx-segments linear to narrowly ovate, at least 3 times as long as wide

6 Lower flowers solitary in leaf-axils, or all flowers in a terminal cluster

7 Petals about equalling sepals 2. aegyptia 7 Petals at least twice as long as sepals

8 Middle cauline leaves lobed for at most of the radius; staminal tube glabrous 1. hispanica 8 Middle cauline leaves lobed for at least} of the radius; staminal tube hairy

9 Epicalyx-segments 2, linear; mericarps with flat dorsal face and sharp angles 3. stipulacea 9 Epicalyx-segments 3, narrowly oblong; mericarps with rounded dorsal face and angles

10 Pedicels with stellate hairs; mericarps ± glabrous

7. toumefortiana 10 Pedicels without stellate hairs; mericarps with numerous white hairs 6. moschata 6Lower flowers in groups in each leaf-axil

11 Dorsal face of ripe mericarps smooth, or only faintly ridged 12 Petals at least twice as long as sepals; calyx not accrescent

12. neglecta 12 Petals less than twice as long as sepals; calyx strongly accrescent 13. verticillata 11 Dorsal face of ripe mericarps distinctly reticulate

13 Petals at least 12 mm, usually bright purple or pink

8. sylvestris 13 Petals less than 12 mm, pale pink or lilac

14 Calyx strongly accrescent; fruiting pedicels usually less than 10 mm; angles of mericarps winged 10. parviflora 14 Calyx only slightly accrescent; fruiting pedicels usually more than 10 mm; angles of mericarps not winged

15 Staminal tube ± glabrous; epicalyx-segments about 6

times as long as wide 11. pusilla 15 Staminal tube with numerous hairs; epicalyx-segments not more than 3 times as long as wide 9. nicaeensis Sect. BiSMALVA (Medicus) Dumort. Flowers solitary in leafaxils, or in a congested, terminal raceme.