Malvales es un orden de eudicotiledóneas perteneciente al clado de las málvidas que se caracteriza por tener flores hipóginas, generalmente dialipétalas, con carpelos soldados. Las malvales se caracterizan por tener hojas generalmente palmatinervias, más o menos recortadas y a veces compuestas (digitadas), con un indumento frecuentemente constituido por pelos estrellados. Tienen pétalos libres o soldados en la base, de prefloración contorta, y se observa una clara tendencia a la polistemonia (el número de estambres es superior a los 10 que tienen las especies más primitivas), teniendo los estambres una marcada tendencia a soldarse por sus filamentos, llegando a formar en algunas familias una columna (tubo estaminal) que envuelve al estilo.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA

The Malvales are an order of flowering plants. As circumscribed by APG II-system, the order includes about 6000 species within 9 families. The order is placed in the eurosids II, which are part of the eudicots. The plants are mostly shrubs and trees; most of its families have a cosmopolitan distribution in the tropics and subtropics, with limited expansion into temperate regions. An interesting distribution occurs in Madagascar, where three endemic families of Malvales (Sphaerosepalaceae, Sarcolaenaceae and Diegodendraceae) occur. Many species of Malvaceae sensu lato are known for their wood, with that of Ochroma (balsa) being known for its lightness, and that of Tilia (lime, linden, or basswood) as a popular wood for carving. Fruit of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) are used as an ingredient for chocolate. Kola nuts (genus Cola) are notable for their high content of caffeine, and in past were commonly used for preparing of various cola drinks. Other well-known members of Malvales in the APG II sense are daphnes, hibiscus, hollyhocks, okra, baobab trees, cotton, and kapok.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA