Definition

Noun 1. A family of flowering plants: The mallow family is a taxonomic family of plants, scientifically known as Malvaceae. It includes a wide variety of species, from small herbs to large shrubs and some trees. Many members of this family are economically and culturally significant.

Usage

The term "mallow family" is used in botanical and horticultural contexts to classify and discuss a specific group of related plants. It is a common name for the family Malvaceae.

Examples

• Botanists study the evolution and characteristics of the mallow family.
• Several common garden plants and agricultural crops belong to the mallow family.
• The mallow family is known for plants with often showy, five-petaled flowers.

Advanced Usage

• The family name is derived from the genus (mallows), which is the type genus for the family.
• In modern botanical classification, the mallow family has been expanded to include plants formerly in families like the (cacao, kola) and (baobab, kapok).

Variants and Related Words

• Malvaceae (n): The scientific, Latin name for the mallow family.
• Malvales (n): The botanical order to which the mallow family belongs.

Synonyms

• Family Malvaceae: The formal synonym.

Different Meanings / Contexts

The term "mallow family" has a single, specific meaning in botany. It does not have idiomatic or figurative uses. It refers exclusively to the plant family Malvaceae.

Noun

1. herbs and shrubs and some trees: mallows; cotton; okra