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MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA 



{Magnolia fraseri Walt.) 

 T^HE mountain magnolia, sometimes locally known 

 as wahoo, is a small tree, 30 to 40 feet high, 

 with a straight, leaning, or divided trunk, 9 to 

 18 inches in diameter and has wide-spreading, 

 rather brittle branches. It is found in the rich 

 coves and on the cool slopes of the southern Appa- 

 lachian Mountains at elevations from 2,000 to 4,000 



feet. 



The bark is 

 usually smooth 

 a n d grayish 

 brown. The 

 terminal w i n- 

 ter buds are 

 smooth, purple, 

 ly^ to 2 inches 

 long. 



The leaves 

 are distinctive, 

 being oblong, 

 with the lower 

 end narrowed 

 and "auricled" 

 {i. 6., h a v i n g 

 lobes like ears) 

 at the base. 

 They are 

 smooth, 10 to 

 12 inches long, 

 crowded at Lae 

 ends of the 

 twisrs. and drop 

 f f i n the 

 autumn. The 

 flowers are 

 white, fragranc, 

 8 to 10 inches wide, and "perfect" {i. e., having 

 stamens and pistils in the same flower.) 



The fruit at maturity is red and shaped like a 

 cucumber, 4 to 5 inches long, bearing many scar- 

 let seeds, each in a carpel, or cell, on which is a 

 long stiff point. 



The wood is light, soft, weak and easily worked. 

 It is only occasionally used for lumber or pulp- 

 wood, in places where practically all species are 

 being cut. 



The tree is occasionally planted for ornamental 

 purposes, but it is said to be less hardy than the 

 other magnolias. 



54 



MOtrMTAlN MAGNOLIA 

 I.*af, one-third naturul size. 

 Twig, two-thirds naturul size. 



