cJissj-s-e>-^^ 





MAGNOLIA (Evergreen Magnolia) 



{Magnolia grandiflora L.) 

 TTHE magnolia or evergreen magnolia is one of the 

 best-known trees in the State. No other tree in 

 our forest excells it in the combined beauty of the 

 leaves and the flowers. Occurring naturally in the 

 rich moist soil on the borders of river .swamps and 

 pine-barren ponds and near-by uplands in the 

 Coastal Plain, it has been widely cultivated for its 



MAGNOLIA 

 Leaf, one-fourth natural size. 

 Twig, one-half natural size. 



ornamental value. In its natural habitat, it attains 

 heights generally of 60 to 80 feet and diameters of 

 the trunk up to 4 feet. The dense pyramidal head, or 

 crown, is made up of numerous small spreading 

 branches and branchlets. 



The bark is gray to light brown. The leaves are 

 evergreen, thick, leathery, elliptical or oval, dark 

 green and shiny above, rusty or silvery beneath, and 

 mostly from 5 to 8 inches long and 2 to 3 inches 

 wide, with prominent midribs. They remain on the 

 tree for about 2 years. 



The large handsome flowers appear at intervals 

 during the summer. They are very attractive with 

 their large pure white petals surrounding a splash 

 of bright purple in the center (from the stamens) 

 and their pleasing fragrance. The "sweet mag- 

 nolia" of the South well deserves the place given it 

 in story and song. 



The fruit consists of a rounded or oval head from 

 3 to 4 inches long containing many seeds, each en- 

 closed in a sheath. These open in the fall and dis- 

 play the bright red "berries" dangling on slender 

 threads. 



The wood is moderately heavy ;uid hard, and o? a 

 creamy color. It is used .somewhat for omamentAj 

 purposes, and considerably as firewood. 



65 



