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list of plants in the family Malvaceae
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Bright red flower of the Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) with a prominent yellow stamen, surrounded by green leaves and blurred foliage in the background.
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Chinese hibiscus
Chinese hibiscus An ornamental Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) in bloom.

list of plants in the family Malvaceae

Written by
Melissa Petruzzello
Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity,...
Melissa Petruzzello
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

The mallow family (Malvaceae) contains some 243 genera and at least 4,225 species of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees distributed nearly worldwide. Members of the family often feature showy five-petaled flowers with an epicalyx (fused bracts below the sepals). Many are cultivated as a source of natural fibers, and several are grown as food crops and ornamentals. The following is a list of some of the major genera and species in Malvaceae, arranged alphabetically by common name.

Melissa Petruzzello