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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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Hoheria6 Hildegardia3 Hollyhock2 Kola2 Howittia1 Kitaibela1 Kitaibelia1 Kleinhovia1 Lagunaria1 Lawrencia1 Lebronnecia1
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Hibiscus kokio Hibiscus kokio Hibiscus lasiococcus Hibiscus lasiococcus Hibiscus lavateroides Hibiscus lavateroides Hibiscus lobatus Hibiscus lobatus Hibiscus macrophyllus Hibiscus macrophyllus Hibiscus martianus Hibiscus martianus Hibiscus mastersianus Hibiscus mastersianus Hibiscus meeusei Hibiscus meeusei Hibiscus microcarpus Hibiscus microcarpus Hibiscus noldeae Hibiscus noldeae Hibiscus obtusilobus Hibiscus obtusilobus Hibiscus phoeniceus Hibiscus phoeniceus Hibiscus physaloides Hibiscus physaloides Hibiscus platycalyx Hibiscus platycalyx Hibiscus ponticus Hibiscus ponticus Hibiscus pusillus Hibiscus pusillus Hibiscus radiatus Hibiscus radiatus Hibiscus rhabdotospermus Hibiscus rhabdotospermus Hibiscus rugosus Hibiscus rugosus Hibiscus sidiformis Hibiscus sidiformis Hibiscus similis Hibiscus similis Hibiscus sororius Hibiscus sororius Hibiscus sterculiifolius Hibiscus sterculiifolius Hibiscus surattensis Hibiscus surattensis Hibiscus trionum Hibiscus ternatus Hibiscus vitifolius Hibiscus vitifolius Hibiscus waimeae Hibiscus waimea Hildegardia Hildegardia 3 items Hoheria Hoheria A. Cunn. Hoheria Hoheria 6 items Hollyhock Alcea L. 2 items Howittia Howittia 1 item Hybrid cotton Gossypium hybrids Hybrid lime Tilia hybrids Hybrid mallow Malva hybrids Iliamna Iliamna Indian hibiscus Hibiscus indicus Island linden Tilia insularis Island mallow Malva assurgentiflora Jamaican fanpetals Sida jamaicensis Japanese lime Tilia japonica Kashmir mallow Malva cachemiriana Kitaibela Kitaibela 1 item Kitaibelia Kitaibelia 1 item Kiusu linden Tilia kiusiana Kleinhovia Kleinhovia 1 item Kola Cola 2 items Kosteletzkya Kosteletzkya Kosteletzkya batacensis Kosteletzkya batacensis Kosteletzkya buettneri Kosteletzkya buettneri Kosteletzkya depressa Kosteletzkya depressa Kosteletzkya pentacarpos Kosteletzkya pentacarpos Kosteletzkya virginica Kosteletzkya virginica Kydia calycina Kydia calycina Kydia zizyphifolia Kydia zizyphifolia Lagunaria Lagunaria (DC.) Rchb. 1 item Lagunaria Lagunaria Lawrencia Lawrencia 1 item Lebronnecia Lebronnecia 1 item Lemon-leaf hibiscus Hibiscus calyphyllus

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)