Order: Malvales

            ~Accounts for approximately 3.2% of eudicot diversity

Family: Malvaceae  --- "Mallow" family

            ~Annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or trees

            ~Divided into five tribes 

      General family Characteristics

            Distribution: Circumglobal, except cold regions. 

                                  Mostly South America

            Leaves: Alternate, stipulate, often with stellate hairs

            Flowers: bisexual, parts usually in 5

                              ~5-parted calyx, sometimes fused;

                                subtended by epicalyx (bracteoles or stipules)

                              ~5-parted corolla

                              ~Numerous, monadelphous anthers

                              ~Syncarpous; 5 carpels with a branched style

                              ~Superior ovary

-Axial placentation

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