iiH
fl :
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Calyv clothed with white stellate tomentum, 5-lobed, the
lobes ovate, triangular, and acute. Petals cuneiform, un-
guiculate, slightly denticulated at the apex; the claws thick
and narrow, of a purplish colour, and the limbs of a vermilion
colour. Stamens numerous, monadelphous, the column
pilose. Anthers purplish, bursting by one ce ll; pollen
yellow. Style crowned by numerous stigmas.
This elegant species of Mallow appears to have been introduced
to our gardens as early as the year 1798, but its
native country is still unknown. It is supposed to be
a native of Chili. Being a late flowering plant, it is of
great importance to the decoration of flower borders and
shrubberies in the months of October and November, at
which time it is profusely clothed with fine vermilion coloured
blossoms; but as the plant is apt to die in severe
winters, if left without protection, it therefore should be
sheltered by the haulm of other herbage at that season, or
by covering it with a mat.
It may either be increased by cuttings, planted under
a hand-glass, or by seeds, which sometimes ripen in this
country.
Our figure was taken from a fine plant that flowered in
the Nursery of Messrs. Allan and Rogers, at Battersea.
The generic name is said to be altered by the Latins,
from the Creek word yaXaxv, soft, which comes from uaXaaaio,
to soften; in reference to the soft mucilaginous qualities of
the species.
1. Calyx, shewing the 5 lobes, and th e 3 linear leaflets o f the involucrum. 2 . Sta-
mens, and pilose column. 3. Ovary, sty le , and numerous stigmas.