Malvaviscus Cav., Dis. s. 3:131. 1787. (nom.cons.); Schery in Ann. Miss. Bot. Gard. 29:203. 1942; Hutch., Gen. Fl. Pl.2:565. 1967.
Shrubs or small trees, usually erect, sometimes scrambling or trailing. Leaves with or without lobes; stipules caducous. Flowers axillary, solitary or in terminal cluster.; Epicalyx segments 5-16, connate at base, linear to lanceolate or spathulate. Calyx 5-lobed. Corolla tube-like never completely expanded, usually scarlet; petals auriculate at base. Staminal column exserted, 5-lobed at apex, antheriferous near the apex. Carpels 5; ovary 5-loculed, each locule 1-ovuled; style branches 10, basally connate; stigmas capitate. Fruit a schizocarp, fleshy, berry like, ultimately dry; mericarps 5, separating at maturity, indehiscent. Seed 1 in each mericarp.
A genus with 3 species, 1 species with several varieties (Schery l.c.), distributed in tropical America, elsewhere cultivated.
In Pakistan 1 species with 2 varieties is commonly cultivated.
