Malvastrum is a small genus of ca. 15 species, originally native in warm-temperate and subtropical regions of the New World. Some species have become almost pantropical weeds.
- Mericarps with a minute apical mucro < 0,1 mm long. Inflorescence a congested terminal spike, flowers sessile === 1. Malvastrum americanum
- Mericarps with an apical medial cusp ca. 0,8-1 mm long and two divergent apical cusps 0,5-0,7 mm long. Inflorescence of axillary, solitary flowers (rarely up to 2-3 flowers per axil), pedicels 1-2 mm in flower, 3-5 mm in fruit === 2. M. coromandelianum
Literature
Hill S.R. (1982) A monograph of Malvastrum, II. Rhodora 84: 159-264. [available online at: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/123668]
Hill S.R. (1982) A monograph of the genus Malvastrum, III. Rhodora 84: 317-409. [available online at: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/123679]
Hill S.R. (2015) Malvastrum. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.), Flora of North America North of Mexico, vol. 6. Oxford University Press, New York: 293-298. [available online at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=119573]
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