Ovules and seeds usually 2 or 3 in each cell. Characters otherwise as in Malvastrum. (Name from σφαῖρα, a sphere, and ἀλκέα, a mallow—from the commonly spherical fruit.)
1. S. acerifòlia, Nutt. Perennial, erect, 2–6° high, stellately pubescent or glabrate; leaves maple-shaped, 3–7-cleft; flowers clustered in the upper axils and subspicate, rose-color to white.—Kankakee Co., Ill., E. J. Hill; Dak. and westward.
8. ABÙTILON, Tourn. Indian Mallow.
Carpels 2–9-seeded, at length 2-valved. Radicle ascending or pointing inward. Otherwise as in Sida. (Name of unknown origin.)
A. Avicénnæ, Gaertn. (Velvet-Leaf.) Tall annual (4° high); leaves roundish-heart-shaped, taper-pointed, velvety; peduncles shorter than the leaf-stalks; corolla yellow; carpels 12–15, hairy, beaked.—Waste places, escaped from gardens. (Adv. from India.)
Calyx with a 3-leaved involucel. Petals obovate. Stamens 10–20. Stigmas capitate. Carpels 14–20, kidney-shaped, pointed, and at length 2-valved at the top; the cavity divided into two by a cross partition, with a single seed in each cell.—Humble, procumbent or creeping annuals or biennials, with cut leaves and small purplish flowers solitary in the axils. (Name from modiolus, the broad and depressed fruit resembling in shape the Roman measure of that name.)
1. M. multífida, Moench. Hairy; leaves 3–5-cleft and incised; stamens 15–20; fruit hispid at the top.—Low grounds, Va. and southward.
10. KOSTELÉTZKYA, Presl.
Pod depressed, with a single seed in each cell. Otherwise as Hibiscus. (Named after V. F. Kosteletzky, a Bohemian botanist.)