THE MAGNOLIAS, ETC. 



27 



specimens about 20 feet high, some of whose flow- 

 ers measure nine inches in diameter. 



Umbrella Tree. The um hrella tree gets its name from 

 Magnolia Umbrella, the resemblance which the leafy ends 



agno 1a npe a a. ^ ^ G branches bear to an umbrella, 



the leaves being arranged in a circle, with veins and 

 stems radiating from a common center ; the umbrella- 

 like appearance is readily per- 

 ceived by one who stands 

 below. It was first 



Magnolia tripetala. 



called parasol or umbrella tree by the early settlers 

 in the South. The leaves are from eighteen to 

 twenty inches long, deep green above and lighter 

 green beneath ; they are downy (on the under side) 

 when young, but soon grow smooth. The cream- 

 white flowers, six to eight inches across, with rather 



