sepals. Fruits The fruits are most often loculicidal capsules, schizocarps or nuts. Pollination Self-pollination is often avoided by means of protandry. Most species are entomophilous (pollinated by insects). Bees from the tribe Emphorini of the Apidae (including Ptilothrix, Diadasia, and Melitoma) are known to specialize on the plants. Importance A number of species are pests in agriculture, including Abutilon theophrasti and Modiola caroliniana, and others that are garden escapees. Cotton (four species of Gossypium), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), cacao (Theobroma cacao), kola nut (Cola spp.), and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) are important agricultural crops. The fruit and leaves of baobabs are edible, as is the fruit of the durian. A number of species, including Hibiscus syriacus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Alcea rosea are garden plants. See also Florissantia, an extinct Cenozoic genus in the subfamily Sterculioidea References Bayer, C. and K. Kubitzki 2003. Malvaceae, pp. 225–311. In K. Kubitzki (ed.), The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, vol. 5, Malvales, Capparales and non-betalain Caryophyllales. Maas, P. J. M. and L. Y. Th. Westra. 2005. Neotropical Plant Families (3rd edition). (abstract online here). External links Malvaceae.info: Malvaceae Gallery Topwalks.net: Malvaceae Tree of Life.org: Core Malvales HEAR.org — Malvaceae: plants of Hawaii — image gallery. GREIF Flora: Malvaceae of Mongolia Malvales families