The Malvaceae family is also known as the mallow or cotton family. Mallow plants are characterized by their attractive flowers and soft, rounded leaves while cotton plants are known for their fibrous seed hairs, which are used to produce cotton fibers.
Cotton fibers are extensively cultivated for their use in textile production worldwide, making cotton a highly valuable and economically important crop. Therefore, the names “mallow” and “cotton” are based on the presence of mallow plants within the family and the economic importance of cotton.
- It is a diverse group of flowering plants consisting of approximately 243 genera and over 4225 species.
- Well-known examples of plants belonging to this family are okra, cotton and cacao.
- There are a total of nine sub-families that make up the Malvaceae family.
- The characteristic features of this family include young parts covered in star-shaped hairs, a mucilaginous texture, and the production of large and the production of large and showy flowers.
Distribution of Malvaceae
- The distribution is cosmopolitan.
- It is dispersed worldwide in which they are most diverse in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
- Some plant species of Malvaceae family have adapted to temperate zones as well.
Habit and Habitat of Malvaceae
- The plants belonging to this family are mostly herbs (Abutilon indicum) or shrubs (Hibiscus spp), but some of them are tress (Gossypium spp).
- The Malvaceae species encompasses a range of growth habits, including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, woody climbers which may vary within the family, and individual species may exhibits variations or combination of these growth forms.
- This family occupies diverse habitats, including tropical rainforests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas. They have a wide distribution and can be found in any places adapting to various ecological conditions around the world.
Vegetative Characteristics of Malvaceae
- Root: Generally possesses a branched tap root system. However, in this family, the tap root with a primary vertical root that serves as the main axis for nutrient absorption. Lateral root, arising from tap root, branch out to explore the rhizosphere for enhanced soil exploration and resource uptake. The variation in root system within the Malvaceae family may arise as a result of habitat specific adaptation and environmental influences.
- Stem: The stem of Malvaceae family can exhibit different characteristics depending on the species. They may be herbaceous, woody, and contain mucous canals (tiny channels that store mucilage). Some species may also have mucous cavities within their stems. These mucilage-filled structures can provide moisture retention, protection against herbivores and aids in wound healing for the plants
- Leaf: Generally alternate, often have lobes or are compound with palmate veins, petiolate, stipulated (have small leaf like structures called stipules), simple and entire margin, acute apex, stellate (star-shaped) hairs whenever leaves are dried (Malva alcea).
Floral Diagram of Malvaceae
Floral Characteristics of Malvaceae
- Inflorescence: Solitary auxillary (Hibiscus), cauliflorous, raceme, panicle, solitary terminal (Abutilon).
- Flower: Bractate, bracteolate in the form of Epicalyx, hermaphrodiate, rarely unisexual (Napaea), complete, actinomorphic, pentamerous, hypogynous, presence of nectaries in flowers which are made up of tightly packed glandular hairs, pentamerous.
- Parinth: Five sepals (calyx) arranged in valvate manner, sepals often fused at base, Five petals (corolla) arranged in imbricate pattern with each petal overlapping the adjacent ones.
- Androecium: Superior ovary, placentation is axile, syncarpous, multicarpellary.
- Gynoecium: Superior ovary, multicarpellary, syncarpous to form a single ovary, placentation is axile.
- Fruits: Schizocarps (Malva, Abutilon), capsule (Hibiscus), berry (Malvaviscus).
- Pollination: Entomophilous, protandrous.
- Seed: Non-endospermic, embryo straight or curved.
Floral Formula of Malvaceae
Floral Formula of Malvaceae Breakdown:
⊕ – Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical)
⚥ – Bisexual flower
Epi(3→8) – Epicalyx present with 3 to 8 free segments (a characteristic feature of Malvaceae)
K(5) – Calyx with 5 united sepals (gamosepalous)
C(5) – Corolla with 5 free petals (polypetalous)
A∞ – Numerous stamens (monadelphous, often forming a staminal column)
G(2–∞) – Syncarpous gynoecium with 2 or more fused carpels; ovary superior
Identifying Characteristics of Malvaceae
- The leaves in the Malvaceae family are stipulate (have small leaf like structures called stipules). Stipules can vary in shape, size and texture among different species within the Malvaceae family.
- In this family, calyx often exhibits the presence of an epicalyx. The calyx is gamosepalous (sepals are fused or united) in which the arrangement is valvate.
- The inflorescence is axillary.
- The corolla is polypetalous in which petals are twisted.
- The stamens are monoadelphous indicating that their filaments are fused into a single column. The number of stamens is indefinite, varying among different species.
- The anthers (pollen producing structures) are reniform (kidney-shaped).
- The ovary is three to multi-carpellary and superior.
- The placentation is axile.
- The fruits produced by the Malvaceae family can be a capsule or schizocarp.
- The pollen grains is typically large in size and has spines on its surface.
- The style, which connect the ovary to the stigma, is long and the stigma is round in shape.
Some common plants of Malvaceae Family
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Uses / Importance |
|---|---|---|
| China Rose | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Ornamental, hair care, herbal medicine |
| Cotton | Gossypium spp. | Fiber crop (textile industry), oil from seeds |
| Okra / Lady’s Finger | Abelmoschus esculentus | Vegetable, mucilage used in traditional medicine |
| Roselle | Hibiscus sabdariffa | Calyces used in beverages (sorrel/hibiscus tea), medicinal |
| Indian Mallow | Abutilon indicum | Medicinal (diuretic, anti-inflammatory) |
| Hollyhock | Alcea rosea | Ornamental, traditional remedies |
| Velvet Leaf | Abutilon theophrasti | Weed, once used for fiber production |
| Kenaf | Hibiscus cannabinus | Industrial fiber crop (used for paper, ropes) |
| Sida | Sida cordifolia | Ayurvedic medicine (anti-inflammatory, analgesic) |
| Marshmallow Plant | Althaea officinalis | Medicinal herb (basis of original marshmallow candy) |
Economic Importance of Malvaceae Family
- Cotton: The most notable economic crop within the Malvaceae family is cotton (Gossypium). Cotton fibers obtained from the seed hairs are extensively used in the textile industry worldwide. Cotton is a major cash crop, providing raw material for the production of fabrics, clothing, and various textile products.
- Food crops: The family includes several economically important food crops such as okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and cacao (Theobroma cacao). Okra is a widely consumed vegetable known for its nutritious pods, while cacao is the source of cocoa beans used in chocolate production.
- Medicine: Some species within the Malvaceae family possess medicinal properties and are utilized in traditional medicine. For example, Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) has been historically used for its soothing properties, particularly for throat and respiratory ailments.
- Ornamental purpose: Various members of the Malvaceae family, including hibiscus (Hibiscus spp) and hollyhock (Alcea spp), are cultivated and valued for their attractive flowers. These ornamental plants contribute to the horticulture industry, beautifying gardens, landscapes, and indoor spaces.
- Timber and wood products: Certain species of the Malvaceae family like Sterculia spp provide valuable timber used in construction, furniture-making, and other woodworking applications.
- Environmental significance: Malvaceae plants also play a role in ecological restoration, erosion control, and soil stabilization due to their adaptability and ability to thrive in diverse habitats.
References
- https://old.amu.ac.in/emp/studym/100008073.pdf
- https://www.peertechzpublications.com/articles/OJPS-3-111.php
- https://www.delta-intkey.com/angio/www/malvacea.htm
- https://www.askiitians.com/biology/morphology-of-flowering-plants/families-of-flowering-plants.html
- https://biologyreader.com/floral-diagram.html
- https://www.biologydiscussion.com/angiosperm/dicotyledons/malvaceae-characters-distribution-and-types/48004
- https://agriculturistmusa.com/plant-family-characteristics/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/malvaceae
- https://overallscience.com/characteristics-and-economic-importance-of-family-malvaceae-mallow-family/
- https://qsstudy.com/identifying-characteristics-of-malvaceae-family/
