Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae (pronounced mal-vuh-see-ee) is a family of flowering plants that includes approximately 244 genera and 4225 known species. The name is derived from the Greek word "malake" which means "soft", referring to the soft, often hairy leaves of these plants.
Etymology
The name Malvaceae is derived from the genus Malva, which in Latin means "mallow". The term Malva itself is derived from the Greek word "malake" or "malakos", meaning "soft", a reference to the soft, often hairy leaves of plants in this family.
Description
Members of the Malvaceae family are typically herbaceous plants, shrubs, or trees. They are most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The leaves are usually alternate, simple, and often with a lobed or toothed margin. The flowers, borne in axillary clusters, are often showy and five-petaled. The fruit is usually a capsule or a berry.
Genera
The Malvaceae family includes several well-known plants and crops, such as cotton (Gossypium), okra (Abelmoschus), hibiscus (Hibiscus), and cacao (Theobroma cacao).
Economic Importance
Several members of the Malvaceae family have significant economic importance. For example, Gossypium is cultivated for its fiber, used in the production of textiles. Theobroma cacao is the primary source of cocoa used in making chocolate. Other members of the family are used in the production of traditional medicines, food, and ornamental plants.
Related Terms
- Angiosperms: The group of plants to which Malvaceae belongs.
- Cotton: A soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants, which are members of the Malvaceae family.
- Hibiscus: A genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae.
- Cacao: The plant from which chocolate is made, Theobroma cacao, is a member of the Malvaceae family.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Malvaceae
- Wikipedia's article - Malvaceae
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