MALVACEAE

Herbs and shrubs, or trees (a few). Mostly ‘normal’ plants, or switch-plants (Lawrencia helmsii); the halophytic L. helmsii ‘cactoid’, with succulent, photosynthetic stems (at least, having cactoid lateral branches). Variously mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves alternate; spiral; petiolate; non-sheathing; simple. Lamina dissected (usually), or entire (occasionally heterophyllous); when entire, i.e. rarely, lanceolate (e.g., in Hoheria); usually palmatifid; pinnately veined (when entire), or palmately veined; cross-venulate. Leaves usually stipulate; leaf development not ‘graminaceous’.

Malvaceae is known as the mallow family in English; as les Malvacées in French; as Malvengewächse in German; as Le Malvacee in Italian; as Kaasjeskruidfamilie in Dutch; as Malvaväxter in Swedish; as Katost-familien in Danish, as Kattostfamilien in Norwegian; as Malvakasvit in Finnish, as kassinaerilised in Estonian; as Mályvafélék in Hungarian; and as Slazowate in Polish. Tiliaceae is known as the lime family in England, as les Tiliacées in French; and Lindengewächse in German; as lehmuskasvit in Finnish; as pärnalised in Estonian; and as Hársfafélék in Hungarian.. Bombacaceae is known as Wollbaumgewächse in German.

Some examples of plants fromMalvcaceae are:

• Malvaviscus alboreus
• Sida rhombifolia L.