Exell, A.W. (1961) Malvaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2)
Herbs, shrubs or trees, usually with stellate hairs. Stipules present. Leaves alternate, often palmately divided. Flowers bisexual (rarely unisexual [in ours?]), actinomorphic. Epicalyx usually present, sometimes 0. Calyx (3-)5-lobed, truncate or occasionally 5- to 10-toothed. Petals 5, free. Stamens numerous, united in a tube surrounding the style. Anthers 1-thecous. Ovary superior, (1-)2-many-locular. Style often branched at apex. Fruit (in ours) either a dehiscent capsule or a schizocarp (composed of a number of mericarps arranged around a central axis). Comment: According to the most recent taxonomic research by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG-III), Malvaceae sensu lato now includes Bombacaceae, Tiliaceae and Sterculiaceae, three families traditionally considered separate but closely related. In this new concept Malvaceae would consist of the following nine subfamilies:
Worldwide: 78 genera and 1,670 species, cosmopolitan but especially in the tropics. Botswana: 10 genera and 56 taxa. |
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| Genus | Content |
| Abutilon Mill. | Description |
| Cienfuegosia Cav. | Description |
| Gossypium L. | Description |
| Hibiscus L. | Description |
| Kosteletzkya C. Presl | Description, Image |
| Malvastrum A. Gray | Description |
| Pavonia Cav. | Description, Image |
| Sida L. | Description, Image |
| Thespesia Sol. ex Corrêa | Description |
| Wissadula Medik. | Description |