The Plant Family of Hibiscus
The hibiscus family, also called the mallow family, bears the scientific name "Malvaceae." The family, as traditionally constituted, is a well-defined group with interesting floral characteristics. It is notable for its large, showy flowers, which occur especially in the genera Hibiscus and Malva. Other species are a useful source of food, clothing, medicine, and cosmetic products. Does this Spark an idea?
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Staminal Column
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The cylinder protruding from the flower is the staminal column. When you see an ornamental flower of the genus Hibiscus, the first thing (besides the showy petals) that strikes your eye will be a fairly long cylinder that protrudes from the middle of the flower. This is called the "staminal column" because it contains the stamen, the floral structures that bear the pollen. Other species of Malvaceae (e.g., Malvaviscus arboreus, the Turk's cap) have a similar structure.
Other Flower Parts
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The hibiscus has five petals. In general, the flower parts of Malvaceae tend to come in groups of five. Five showy petals have three to five green leaflets forming a structure called the calyx at their base. Most species have further leaves or bracts just below the calyx. The fruit also tends to have five sections that split apart at maturity.
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Ornamental Species
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Malvaviscus arboreus, the Turk's cap Many species pertaining to Malvaceae serve as ornamental flowers, especially in the tropics. Turk's cap grows in neat hedges along city streets, and Chinese rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) punctuates many landscapes. Mallows, including the tree mallow, also serve as delightful ornamentals.
Food Plants
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Marshmallows originally came from the root of Althaea officinalis. Some members of Malvaceae serve as sources of food and drink. Althaea officinalis was the original source of marshmallows. Abelmoschus esculentus gives us okra. The flower of the Hibiscus serves as a basis for soft drinks and tea.
Textiles from Malvaceae
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Cotton comes from Gossypium hirsutum of the family Malvaceae. A cursory glance at the flowers of the cotton plant will reveal that they look like the hibiscus. Cotton comes from various plants of the genus Gossypium, which are indeed members of the family Malvaceae.
Seed Oils
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Abelmoschus moschatus is an ingredient in some soaps. Various species in the family Malvaceae produce oils rich in linoleic acid and palmitic acid. The oils of the genus Sida are used in folk medicine, and the oils of Abelmoschus moschatus furnish ingredients for perfumes, soaps and medicines.
Enlarged Malvaceae
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The APG system is based on an analysis of DNA. The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group or APG (botanists from many different countries who have been working together to reclassify flowering plants on the basis of similarities and differences in their DNA), has enlarged Malvaceae by adding the following families: Tiliaceae (lindens and basswood), Bombacaceae (baobabs and ceibas), and Sterculiaceae (Cacao and Catalpa). The work of the APG is controversial.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hibiscus image by Cédric FROEHLICH from Fotolia.com hibiscus image by adrimar imaging from Fotolia.com hibiscus image by PHOTOFLY from Fotolia.com reluctant hibiscus image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com Marshmallow gegrillt image by M.R. from Fotolia.com cotton field in contrast with blue sky image by lulu from Fotolia.com handmade soap image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com brightly colored science test tubes image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
