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Reference · Crops

Malvaceae

Malvaceae is a large family of flowering plants that includes essential agricultural crops such as cotton, kenaf, jute, and okra. The family encompasses a diverse range of forms, from small annual herbs to large trees, but industrial agriculture focuses primarily on those species cultivated for textile fibers, high-quality vegetable oils, and edible products.

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Hibiscus23 Helicteres4 Herrania4 Hampea3 Heliocarpus2 Herissantia2 Guazuma1 Guichenotia1 Heritiera1
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What the section contains

Grewia rothii Grewia rothii Grewia sapida Grewia sapida Grewia sclerophylla Grewia sclerophylla Grewia serrulata Grewia serrulata Grewia similis Grewia similis Grewia tembensis Grewia tembensis Grewia tenax Grewia tenax Grewia tiliifolia Grewia tiliifolia Grewia trichocarpa Grewia trichocarpa Grewia villosa Grewia villosa Grey-flowered Cola Cola griseiflora Guazuma Guazuma 1 item Guichenotia Guichenotia J. Gay 1 item Guichenotia Guichenotia Halberd-leaved hibiscus Hibiscus militaris Hampea Hampea 3 items Hardy hibiscus Hibiscus hybrids Helicteres Helicteres 4 items Heliocarpus Heliocarpus 2 items Henry's Lime Tilia henryana Herissantia Herissantia 2 items Heritiera Heritiera 1 item Heritiera arafurensis Heritiera arafurensis Heritiera borneensis Heritiera borneensis Heritiera densiflora Heritiera densiflora Heritiera elata Heritiera elata Heritiera fomes Heritiera fomes Heritiera globosa Heritiera globosa Heritiera javanica Heritiera javanica Heritiera macrophylla Heritiera macrophylla Heritiera ornithocephala Heritiera ornithocephala Heritiera simplicifolia Heritiera simplicifolia Heritiera sumatrana Heritiera sumatrana Heritiera sylvatica Heritiera sylvatica Hermannia Hermannia L. Hermannia betonicifolia Hermannia betonicifolia Hermannia depressa Hermannia depressa Hermannia modesta Hermannia modesta Hermannia pauciflora Hermannia pauciflora Hermannia quartiniana Hermannia quartiniana Hermannia saccifera Hermannia saccifera Hermannia tigreensis Hermannia tigreensis Herrania Herrania 4 items Hibiscadelphus Hibiscadelphus Hibiscus Hibiscus L. 23 items Hibiscus altissimus Hibiscus altissimus Hibiscus aponeurus Hibiscus aponeurus Hibiscus arnottianus Hibiscus arnottianus Hibiscus articulatus Hibiscus articulatus Hibiscus boryanus Hibiscus boryanus Hibiscus costatus Hibiscus costatus Hibiscus divaricatus Hibiscus divaricatus Hibiscus ficulneoides Hibiscus ficulneoides Hibiscus fragilis Hibiscus fragilis Hibiscus fuscus Hibiscus fuscus Hibiscus grantii Hibiscus grantii Hibiscus hamabo Hibiscus hamabo Hibiscus hiernianus Hibiscus hiernianus Hibiscus hirtus Hibiscus hirtus Hibiscus hispidissimus Hibiscus hispidissimus

Malvaceae

Most plants in the Malvaceae family originate from tropical and subtropical regions. Today, their cultivation range has expanded to encompass various warm climate zones worldwide. These crops typically require long, frost-free growing seasons, often ranging from 120 to 180 days, to reach full maturity and achieve maximum yield potential.

Botanically, the Malvaceae family is defined by alternate leaves and flowers with a double perianth. A distinctive feature is the staminal column, where numerous stamen filaments are fused together. The fruits vary by genus, typically developing as capsules or schizocarps, which contain seeds that are often covered in fibers or fine hairs, as seen in the cotton plant.

Agronomic requirements for these crops involve high solar radiation, warm temperatures, and consistent moisture during the vegetative growth phase. They thrive in deep, well-drained, and fertile soils with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline. Crop rotation is essential to prevent soil depletion and to manage the accumulation of pathogens in the fields.

The economic utility of Malvaceae is vast, contributing to the textile, food, and chemical industries. Beyond fibers and food, some species are utilized as animal forage. Agricultural management must address common threats, including pests such as the bollworm and spider mites, as well as fungal diseases like Verticillium wilt and anthracnose, which can significantly impact productivity.

  • Cotton (major textile fiber source)
  • Kenaf (industrial fiber crop)
  • Okra (culinary vegetable)
  • Abutilon (fiber-producing plant)