Malvaceae (Mallow family)

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MALVACEAE


A family of about 85 genera and 1,000 to 1,500 species, Malvaceae are distributed widely in tropical and temperate regions. 22 genera and about 125 species of Malvaceae have been reported from India. 
Some larger genera with their common names are: 
    • Hibiscus (rose mallow), 
    • Sida , 
    • Pavonia , 
    • Abutilon (Indian mallow), 
    • Alcea , 
    • Malva (mallow), 
    • Lavatera , 
    • Gossypium (cotton) and 
    • Althea. 
The family is recognised by Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (rose of China) because of its beautiful large flowers and hundreds of its known cultivated varieties. 
Cotton (Gossypium) the most important plant of this family from the commercial viewpoint, has been cultivated in India since last 5,000 years.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Cotton

 


                                            

 Cotton, manufactured from the dense mass of long hair attached to the seeds of several species of Gossypium, is the most important product of this family. Cotton comes from: 

    • Gossypium barbadense, 
    • G. hirsutum, 
    • G. arboreum and 
    • G. herbaceum.
Other fibres: 
    • Hemps, which are the bast fibres (i.e. obtained from the phloem fibres of the stem) are obtained from: 
    • Hibiscus elatus (Cuba bast), 
    • H. sabdariffa (Rozella hemp), 
    • H. cannabinus (Deccan hemp), 
    • Sida rombifolia (Queensland hemp), etc. 
  • Bags, ropes, chords, etc. are made from the fibres obtained from: 
    • Abutilon asiaticum, 
    • A. theophrasti, 
    • Hibiscus falcatus, 
    • H. tiliaceous, 
    • Abelmoschus moschatus, 
    • Urena lobata, etc.
Oils:                                                                                                                                    
    • Cotton seed oil, which is edible and also used for manufacture of soaps, lubricants, etc. is obtained from the seeds of Gossypium. 
    • The oil cake is an excellent cattle feed.        
    • An essential oil, used in perfumery, is obtained from the seeds of Abelmoschus moschatus. 
    • A fatty oil obtained from the seeds of 'Patsan' (Hibiscus cannabinus) is used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and linoleum, and its refined oil is edible.
Ornamentals:                                                                                                              Malvaceae are known for their ornamental plants, chief among which include: 
    • Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (China rose), 
    • H. mutabilis (cotton rose), 
    • H. scchizopetalus, 
    • H. syriacus (Rose of Sharon), 
    • H. sabdariffa, 
    • H. Collins, Althaea rosea (hollyhock), 
    • Malva sylvestnis (mallow), 
    • Malvaviscus arboreus, 
    • Thespesia populnea, etc.
Vegetables:                                                                                                                      
    • Lady's finger or okra, a famous vegetable, is the fruit of Abelmoschus esculentus; 
    • a delicious chutney is prepared from the sepals of Hibiscus cannabinus and 
    • H. sabdariffa; flower buds of Hibiscus syriacus are acidic and used as a vegetable.
Timber:                                                                                                                              Wood of Thespesia populnea is used in making boats while that of Hibiscus elatus is utilised in furniture making.

Medicinal value:                                                                                                              
    • Roots of Abutilon indicum are used against fever, 
    • Roots of Abelmoschus moschatus in stomach ache, and 
    • Roots of Althaea officinalis and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis against cough; 
    • roots of Althaea rosea are used in the treatment of dysentry; 
    • Bark of Gossypium is used used for stopping haemorrhage in ladies, specially after child birth; 
    • Roots of Malva verticillata are used against whooping cough; 
    • Leaves and seeds of Malva sylvestnis are used in fever; 
    • Roots of Malachra capitata are used in rheumatism; 
    • Roots and bark of Urena repanda are used to cure hydrophobia, caused by dog bite.
Some other uses:                                                                                                             
    • 'Hint' a well known Indian perfume, is obtained from the roots of Pavonia odorata; toys, 
    • Pencils and matchsticks are manufactured from the wood of Thespesia populnea; 
    • A blue dye is obtained from the leaves of Althaea rosea; 
    • A well-known drink is prepared from the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa.  



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