THE 
TREES OF AMERICA. 
Genus MAGNOLIA, Linn. 
Magnoliacea?. 
Syst. Nat. 
Magnaja, 
Synonymcs 
Polyandria Polygynia. 
Syst. Lin. 
Of Authors. 
Magnolier, France. 
Magnolie, Gurkenbaum, Bieberbaum, Germany. 
Spain, Italy, Britain, and 
Anglo-America. 
Magnolia, 
Derivations. The name Magnolia was given to this genus by Linnoeus in honour of M. Pierre Magnol, a distinguished 
botanist of Montpelier, in France. The German name, Gurkenbaum, means Cucumber-tree ; and Bieberbaum signifies 
Beaver-tree, which is sometimes applied in America to the Magnolia glauca. 
Generic Characters. Calyx of 3 deciduous sepals, that resemble petals. Corolla of from 6 9 petals. Sta 
mens numerous. Pistils numerous. Carpels disposed compactly in spikes, opening by the external angle, 
1 2-seeded, permanent. Seeds baccate, somewhat cordate, pendulous, hanging out beyond the carpels 
by a very long umbilical thread. Trees and shrubs with large, entire leaves, and solitary, terminal, 
large, odoriferous flowers. Don, Miller's Diet. 
HE genus Magnolia embraces the most admirable productions of 
the vegetable world. All the species are highly ornamental, 
and may generally be cultivated in most parts of Britain, the 
middle and southern states of Europe and of North America, 
without protection during winter. But, in Russia and the 
northern parts of Britain, Germany, Sweden, and of the United 
States, the less hardy kinds are green-house plants. Few of 
the species ripen their seeds in England, but most of them do in France. The 
American species are generally produced from seeds ; but those from Asia are 
increased by layers, or by inarching, and in some cases from seeds. 
Geographical Distribution. The native country of the most hardy mag- 
nolias is North America; but there are some hardy species found in China, 
Japan, and probably in Hindoostan. No tree of this genus has hitherto been 
found indigenous to Europe, Africa, South America, nor Australia; and the 
geographical range of the order Magnoliaceae in America and Asia is compara- 
tively limited. 
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