Question

( dichotomos key )

Describe these nine groups:

Malva sylvestris: Petals 18-25 mm, flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils,

Malva pusilla: Corolla equalling the calyx, flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils, epicalyx segments linear, petals 6-14 mm, mericarps with smooth adjacent margins

Malva alcea: Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils, perennial, epicalyx segments ovate

Malva parviflora: Mericarps with toothed adjacent margins, petals 6-14 mm, flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils,

Malva aegyptia: Stem adpressed-strigose, annual, flowers borne singly in the leaf axils

Malva nicaeensis: Epicalyx segments oblong, petals 6-14 mm, mericarps with smooth adjacent margins, flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils

Malva cretica: Annual, flowers borne singly in the leaf axils, stem hispid-setose

Malva neglecta: Mericarps with smooth adjacent margins, corolla 2 or more x longer than calyx, petals 6-14 mm, flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils, epicalyx segments linear

Malva moschata: Epicalyx segments linear, flowers borne singly in the leaf axils, perennial

1. Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils…………………………..……………………

2. Perennial……………………………………………….………………..…….......

3. Epicalyx segments ovate..

………………………………………………………

3. Epicalyx segments linear………………………………………………............

2. Annual……………………………………………………………………………..

4. Stem adpressed-strigose……………………………………....…………….…

4. Stem hispid-setose……………………………………………………………...

1. Flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils………………………………………

5. Petals 18-25 mm………………………………………..…….……………..….

5. Petals 6-14 mm……………………………………………………………….

6. Mericarps with toothed adjacent margins…………………………….……

6. Mericarps with smooth adjacent margins…………………………………..

7. Epicalyx segments oblong………….……………………………………..

7. Epicalyx segments linear………………………………………………..….

8. Corolla 2 or more x longer than calyx……………….………….......

8. Corolla equalling the calyx

…………………………….………………

Answer 1

Ans:

Dichotomos key

1. Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils…………………………..……………………Go to 2

2. Perennial……………………………………………….………………..…….......Go to 3

3. Epicalyx segments ovate..……………………………………………………… Malva alcea

3. Epicalyx segments linear………………………………………………............ Malva moschata

2. Annual……………………………………………………………………………..Go to 4

4. Stem adpressed-strigose……………………………………....…………….… Malva aegyptia

4. Stem hispid-setose……………………………………………………………... Malva cretica

1. Flowers borne in fascicles in the leaf axils………………………………………Go to 5

5. Petals 18-25 mm………………………………… …..…….……………..…. Malva sylvestris

5. Petals 6-14 mm………………………………………………………………. Go to 6

6. Mericarps with toothed adjacent margins…………………………….…… Malva parviflora

6. Mericarps with smooth adjacent margins…………………………………..Go to 7

7. Epicalyx segments oblong………….…………………………………….. Malva nicaeensis

7. Epicalyx segments linear………………………………………………..…. Go to 8

8. Corolla 2 or more x longer than calyx……………….…………....... Malva neglecta

8. Corolla equalling the calyx…………………………….……………… Malva pusilla