Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Velvetleaf \Vel"vet*leaf`\, n. (Bot.)
A name given to several plants which have soft, velvety
leaves, as the {Abutilon Avicenn[ae]}, the {Cissampelos
Pareira}, and the {Lavatera arborea}, and even the common
mullein.
Mallow \Mal"low\, Mallows \Mal"lows\, n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe,
fr. L. malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf. mala`ssein to soften,
malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing
properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. {Mauve},
{Malachite}.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Malva}) having mucilaginous qualities.
See {Malvaceous}.
Note: The flowers of the common mallow ({M. sylvestris}) are
used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ({M. rotundifolia})
is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits
are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow ({M.
Mauritiana} and {Lavatera arborea}), musk mallow ({M.
moschata}), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow
({M. crispa}), are less commonly seen.
{Indian mallow}. See {Abutilon}.
{Jew's mallow}, a plant ({Corchorus olitorius}) used as a pot
herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.
{Marsh mallow}. See under {Marsh}.
Source : WordNet®
Lavatera arborea
n : arborescent perennial shrub having palmately lobed furry
leaves and showy red-purple flowers; southwestern United
States [syn: {tree mallow}, {velvetleaf}, {velvet-leaf}]