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M A L V A C E Æ.

75. MALVA BOREALIS [1]: Wallmann in Liljebl. Sv. Fl. sec. Fries. (M. rotundifolia (borealis), Fries, Novit. Fl. Suec. ed. 2. p. 218; Koch, Syn. Fl. Germ. p. 130. M. rotundifolia β. pusilla, Smith, DC. M. obtusa, Torr. & Gray! Fl. 1. p. 225.) Waste places, Santa Fé; June to August. — This species, which is well characterized by Fries, Koch, &c., is distinguished from M. rotundifolia, Linn., by the very small corolla, and by the transversely reticulated-rugose carpels, which are margined at the back, where they meet each other by a more or less toothed edge. The calyx-lobes are also broader and larger, especially in fruit, the leaves somewhat less lobed, and, in the New-Mexican and Californian specimens (probably introduced from the Old World) the peduncles are very much shorter, — a point which is not mentioned by European authors. The root is strictly annual, while that of M. rotundifolia appears often to be perennial. Dr. Engelmann and myself have raised the plant from seeds taken from Fendler’s specimens.


  1. The classification of the small-flowered mallows has historically been controversial. The usual modern division is into M. parviflora and M. pusilla, which may not be the same as that into M. rotundifolia and M. borealis. The sepals accrescent in fruit, and toothed margins between the lateral and dorsal faces of the mericarp would identify this plant as Malva parviflora.

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