Malvaceae: The Malvaceae, commonly known as the mallow family, comprises a diverse array of flowering plants, with approximately 4,225 species distributed among 244 genera. Well-known members of this botanical family include hibiscus, okra, cotton, and cacao.
Plants within the Malvaceae family exhibit a variety of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, and trees. They are characterized by stellate trichomes, an epicalyx, and a valvate calyx. The corolla typically displays a convolute arrangement, and the stamens are often fused into a tube or organized into 5–∞ bundles.
One notable member of the Malvaceae family is the baobab tree, which is valued in Africa for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Various parts of the baobab plant are utilized in the treatment of malaria, diarrhea, fever, inflammation, as well as kidney and bladder ailments. The article below details about the Malvaceae family, diagram, floral formula, and more in the article below.
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Malvaceae Family
Malvaceae is a plant family that includes various species such as mallows, Hibiscus, and monkshood, belonging to the order Malvales. This family is known to comprise over 4,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. Plants in the Malvaceae family typically have simple, alternate leaves with stipules that are palmately veined. The flowers are bisexual and exhibit actinomorphic characteristics. The perianth consists of five sepals that are either valvate or basally connate, along with five distinct petals attached to the androecium.
The androecium contains numerous monadelphous stamens with filaments that diverge apically and onecelled anthers. The gynoecium features a single compound pistil with two types of carpels, an equal number of styles, and a superior ovary containing two types of locules, each housing one type of ovule. The fruits of Malvaceae plants include loculicidal capsules, schizocarps, berries, and samaras.
Malvaceae Floral Formula
The floral formula for the Malvaceae family is ♀ K5 C5 A∞ G(5).
In a floral formula, the symbols represent different parts of the flower, such as K for calyx, C for corolla, A for androecium, and G for gynoecium. The numbers following these symbols indicate the quantity of each part. For example, K5 means there are five sepals in the calyx, C5 indicates five petals in the corolla, A(5+5) represents the androecium with 5 fused stamens and 5 free stamens, and G(5) signifies a gynoecium with 5 fused carpels.
Here’s an example of a floral formula for a specific genus within the Malvaceae family:
Hibiscus Rosasinensis: K5 Ca5 Co5 A∞ G5
This formula indicates that Hibiscus rosasinensis has five bracts, five separate sepals, five separate petals, numerous stamens, and a pistil with five fused carpels.
Classification of Malvaceae
The Malvaceae family, also known as the mallow family, is a diverse group of flowering plants. Here is a general classification of the Malvaceae family:
- Kingdom: Plantae (plants)
- Clade: Angiosperms (flowering plants)
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Malvaceae
The family Malvaceae is further divided into several subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species, encompassing a wide range of plants with varying characteristics. Each of these taxonomic ranks represents a level of relatedness among the plants within the Malvaceae family.
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| Ribosomes | Pollination | Apomixis |
| Centrosome | Embryo | Tissues |
| Rhizopus | Pinus | Gluconeogenesis |
| Chlamydomonas | Chara | Ribs |
Malvaceae Other Name
Malvaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mallow family. The family includes around 244 genera and over 4,225 known species, making it one of the largest families of flowering plants. Plants in this family are known for their diverse forms, including herbs, shrubs, and trees, and are found in various habitats worldwide.
Characteristics of Malvaceae
The Malvaceae, commonly referred to as the mallow family, constitutes a vast and varied group of flowering plants comprising over 1,000 species distributed worldwide. Some of the most recognizable members of this family include hibiscus, cotton, and okra. The following are key characteristics of Malvaceae:
Habit: Malvaceae plants exhibit a range of growth forms, including herbs, shrubs, small trees, and even lianas (vines).
Leaves: The leaves are alternate, often palmately lobed or divided, and typically feature stipules (small appendages at the base of the leaf stalk). They commonly display palmate venation, with veins radiating out from a central point, and are often covered with stellate hairs, which are star-shaped hairs giving the leaves a fuzzy appearance.
Flowers: Malvaceae flowers are perfect (containing both male and female reproductive organs) and actinomorphic (radially symmetrical). They are arranged in either solitary or cymose inflorescences (a type of flower cluster). Flowers typically consist of five separate sepals, five petals, and numerous stamens, with petals occurring in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white. A distinguishing feature of Malvaceae flowers is the presence of an epicalyx, which is a whorl of bracts situated beneath the calyx (the outermost whorl of sepals).
Fruits: Malvaceae fruits are diverse but commonly take the form of capsules or schizocarps (dry fruits that split into individual segments). Seeds often possess fine hairs.
Distribution: Malvaceae plants are distributed across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide, with the highest diversity in the American tropics.
Economic importance: The Malvaceae family holds significant economic value. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is a major fibre crop, while okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a popular vegetable. Other members of the family are cultivated as ornamental plants, such as hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) and hollyhock (Alcea rosea).
Malvaceae Inflorescence
The inflorescence of plants within the Malvaceae family, encompassing species such as hibiscus, hollyhocks, and cotton, displays notable diversity.
Solitary: Many Malvaceae species feature solitary flowers, where a single flower emerges on a stalk from the leaf axil, the upper angle between the leaf petiole and the stem.
Racemose: Certain Malvaceae plants exhibit racemose inflorescences, characterized by elongated clusters of flowers arranged along an unbranched main stalk.
Reduced: In some cases, the inflorescence is reduced to a single flower or is borne directly on the main stem, a phenomenon known as cauliflory.
Moreover, the flowers of Malvaceae plants often possess an additional whorl of bracts surrounding the calyx, known as an epicalyx. This epicalyx can be highly conspicuous, displaying vivid colors and enhancing the overall attractiveness of the flower.
Malvaceae Family Examples
The Malvaceae family, also known as the mallow family, includes several wellknown plants. Some examples of plants in the Malvaceae family are:
- Hibiscus: Known for its large, showy flowers, hibiscus plants are popular in gardens worldwide.
- Alcea (Hollyhock): Tall and stately, hollyhocks are known for their spires of colourful flowers.
- Malva (Mallow): This genus includes several species of plants known for their small, delicate flowers.
- Abutilon (Chinese Lantern): These plants are grown for their bellshaped flowers and attractive foliage.
- Gossypium (Cotton): The cotton plant is an economically important member of the Malvaceae family, valued for its fibre.
These are just a few examples of the diverse plants that belong to the Malvaceae family.
Malvaceae Monocot Or Dicot
The Malvaceae family, which includes plants like hibiscus, hollyhocks, cotton, and durian, is categorized as a dicotyledon, or dicot. Dicots are flowering plants that typically possess two seed leaves (cotyledons) in their seeds, leaf veins that form a net-like pattern, and flower parts that occur in multiples of either four or five. In contrast, monocots have just one seed leaf, parallel leaf veins, and flower parts that occur in multiples of three.
Recent changes in plant classification have led to the dicot and monocot terms no longer being recognised as formal taxonomic groups. Nonetheless, the distinction between these two groups remains beneficial for understanding the fundamental differences in plant structure and growth.
Malvaceae Importance
The Malvaceae, commonly known as the mallow family, is a significant botanical family comprising many flowering plants. This family boasts over 4,200 species spanning 244 genera, with a global distribution across tropical and temperate regions (Wikipedia Malvaceae).
The importance of the Malvaceae family can be attributed to several key factors:
- Fibers: Malvaceae plants yield some of the world’s most crucial natural fibers, such as cotton, jute, and kenaf. Cotton, particularly, is a pivotal global commodity extensively used in textile and apparel production.
- Food: Many Malvaceae species are cultivated for their edible parts. Notable examples include okra, cacao (used in chocolate production), and durian. Okra is a popular vegetable, while cacao is the source of chocolate. Durian, despite its pungent aroma, is highly esteemed for its rich taste and creamy texture in Southeast Asia.
- Beverages: The kola nut, derived from the Cola genus within the Malvaceae family, is a common ingredient in beverages in Africa due to its caffeine content.
- Timber: Certain Malvaceae species are valuable sources of timber. Examples include balsa, known for its lightweight properties, and Triplochiton, a hardwood often used in furniture crafting.
- Ornamentals: Many Malvaceae plants are cultivated for their attractive flowers, including hibiscus, hollyhocks, and linden trees.
- Medicinal Uses: Some Malvaceae species possess medicinal properties. For instance, marshmallow root is utilised for its soothing effect on sore throats.
In conclusion, the Malvaceae family is a diverse group of plants that play an important role in providing various products essential for everyday life.
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Malvaceae FAQs
The floral formula for the Malvaceae family includes 3-8 epicalyx, a calyx with five gamosepalous petals, polypetalous petals with numerous stamens, and a corolla with a carpellary and multicarpellary syncarpous superior ovary.
Malvaceae, also known as the hibiscus or mallow family, is a botanical family (order Malvales) comprising approximately 243 genera and at least 4,225 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees. These plants are found in most regions except for the coldest areas, with the highest concentration in tropical regions.
Malvaceae, commonly known as 'baobab', is a large tree in Africa valued for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Various parts of the plant are used in Africa to treat conditions such as malaria, diarrhoea, fever, inflammation, kidney, and bladder diseases.
The placentation in Malvaceae is axile, meaning that when septa are present, they divide the ovary into two or more locules. The ovules are attached along the central axis, specifically in the inner angle formed by the septa.
The Malvaceae family holds a significant position in the category of dicotyledonous plants. It ranks third in species diversity, with 36 species and 12 genera.
