TIIE MAGNOLIAS, ETC. 27 



specimens about 20 feet high, some of whose flow- 

 ers measure nine inches in diameter. 



Umbrella Tree. ^he umbrella tree gets its name from 

 Magnolia Umbrella, the resemblance which the leafy ends 



Maqnolia tripetala. c ,■% ■, -i i , ?1 



J r oi the 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 ^ 



m 



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 



