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Malvaceae: Characteristics and Importance - Testbook.com

Last Updated on Jul 31, 2023
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The Malvaceae family, often referred to as the mallow family, is an expansive group of flowering plants with incredible diversity. This family is home to around 244 genera and approximately 4225 species. Some of the most well-recognized members of this family include species like hollyhock, durian, baobab, and linden trees.

Delineating the Malvaceae Family

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Malvales

Family

Malvaceae

Delving into the Characteristics of Malvaceae

Intricacies of Leaves and Stem

  • The members of this family can be found in varying forms such as shrubs, herbaceous plants, trees, or lianas.
  • The leaves are alternately arranged, often with a palmate lobe or compound and palmate veins.
  • The leaf margin is typically entire, but some species do exhibit dentate leaf margins.
  • Stipules can be found at the base of the leafstalk.
  • The stems of these plants contain mucus canals and mucus cavities.
  • The stem often features hairs in a stellate, star-like manner.

Unveiling the Flowers and Fruits

  • The flowers can be found in either definite or indefinite axillary inflorescence.
  • These flowers also possess bracts.
  • The flowers can be either unisexual or bisexual.
  • The flowers are symmetrical or actinomorphic.
  • A characteristic feature of this family is the presence of an epicalyx.
  • Nectaries with glandular hairs inside them can be found on the sepals.
  • The fruits can be in the form of nuts, capsules, or schizocarps.

Understanding Pollination

  • Most members primarily undergo cross-pollination. Self-pollination is avoided through a process called protandry where pollens are shed before the maturity of ovules.
  • Pollination is majorly carried out by insects, making them entomophilous.

Exploring the Floral Arrangement of Malvaceae

The floral arrangement of Malvaceae is unique and intricate:

  • They possess five valvate sepals (gamosepalous),
  • Five imbricate petals (polypetalous),
  • Stamens can range from 5 to numerous,
  • The pistil is composed of two to numerous carpels,
  • The ovary is superior, and
  • The placentation is axile.

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The Significance of Malvaceae

The Malvaceae family is of great economic importance, with many species contributing valuable products. Here are some noteworthy species and the products they produce:

  • Tilia (linden trees)
  • Durio (durian)
  • Alcea (hollyhock)
  • Adansonia (baobab)
  • Malva (mallow)
  • Cola (kola nut)
  • Abelmoschus moschatus (musk seeds)
  • Hibiscus (ornamentals)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Members of the Malvaceae family can exist as shrubs, herbaceous plants, trees or lianas. The leaves are often palmately lobed or compound and palmately veined. The flowers can be unisexual or bisexual and bear bracts. They also have nectaries with glandular hairs inside them found on the sepals.

The floral arrangement of Malvaceae flowers includes five valvate sepals, five imbricate petals, numerous stamens, a pistil composed of numerous carpels, a superior ovary, and axile placentation.

The Malvaceae family includes species like Gossypium (cotton), Corchorus (jute), Hibiscus, Theobroma cacao (cacao), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and others that are economically important for producing various products.
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