2*2 AUBORETUM ET FIIUTICETLM BUITANNICUM. 



Gen. Char. Cali/x uf 3 deciduous sepals, that resemble petals. Corolla of 

 from 6 9 petals. Stamens numerous. Pistih numerous. Carpels disposed 

 compactly m spikes, opening by the external angle, J 2-seeded, permanent. 

 Seeds baccate, somewhat cordate, i)endulous, hanging out beyond the car- 

 pels by a very long umbilical white thread. 



Leaves simple, alternate, sti[)idate^ deciduous or evergreen ; entire, large, 

 oblong or oval, stipulate. Flower.-, terminal, solitary, large, odoriferous. 

 Seed large, roundish, produced in conical strobiles. Trees and shrubs, 

 natives of North America and Asia. 



One of the species is a lofty evergreen tree; l)ut the others are decidu- 

 ous, and partly trees and partly shrubs. The seeds are mostly of a scarlet 

 colour. The roots are branched, and yet but sparingly supplied with 

 fibres. Magnolias juay be cultivated in most parts of Britain, and of the 

 middle and southern states of Europe ; but, north of London and Paris, some 

 of the species require protection during winter, or to be kept in the green- 

 house. A deep sandy soil, and a sitnation sheltered from the north and east, 

 will suit most of the species ; though some, as M. glauca, for example, thrive 

 best in a moist peaty soil. Few of the species ripen seeds in England, but 

 most of them do so in France. From these seeds, or from such as are im- 

 |)orted, all the American species, except M. grandiflora, are most frequently 

 raised ; but the species from Asia are increased by layers, as are occasionally 

 some of the more rare of the American species. In no case whatever woidd 

 we recommend purchasing any species of magnolia not grown in a pot ; 

 because plants so grown may be sent to any distance without injury to the 

 roots, which are few and succulent, and easily damaged by exposure to the 

 air and light. The hardy species of this genus are included in two sections, 

 "^A'AgnoVmstrum and Gwillimirt. 



^ i. Magnol\k?,ix\xm. 



Derivation. MagndRix; and astrum, froraarf instar, an affixed particle, signilying likeness. 



Serf. Chiir. American s[)ecies, with one spathe-like bractea enclosing the 

 flower-bud ; ovaries approximate ; anthers bursting outwards. (Dou^s 

 Mill., i. p. 83.) 



i 1. Magno'l/.'I grandiflo^ra L. The large-flowered Magnolia. 



Idtntification. Lin. Sp., 755.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 80. ; Don's Mill., 1. p. 82. ; Tor. and Gray, 

 1. p. 42. 



Synonymes. Laurel-leaved Magnolia, the large-flowered evergreen Magnolia, the Laurel Bay, big 

 Laurel, the large Magnolia ; Laurier tulipier, Fr. in Louisiana ; Magnolie i grandes Fleurs, 

 Fr.; grossblumigor Magnolie, or Uieberbaum (Beavcr-wood Trie), Gcr. 



Engravings. Mill. Ic, 2. t. 172. ; the plate in vol. v. ol' Arb. Brit. 1st edit. ; and onrfig. 34. 



Spec. Char., Sfc, Evergreen. Leaves oval-oblong, coriaceous, upper surface 

 shining, under surface rusty. Flowers erect, 9 12 petals, exi)anding. {Dons 

 Mill.) A large evergreen tree. North Carolina. Height in North 

 America 60 ft. to 70 ft. ; in England 20 ft. to 30 ft. Introduced in 1737. 

 Flowers white, fragrant ; June to September. Strobile brown, with scarlet 

 seeds ; ripe in October. Decaying leaves yellow and orange, dropping in 

 June. Young wooti green. 



Varieties. 



t M. g. 2 obovuta Ait. Leaves obovate-oblong. Flowers expanded. 

 (Hort. Kew., iii. p. 329.) This seems to be the only variety founil 

 in a wild state. In British gardens it is a luagnificent plant, the 

 broad ends of its leaves forming a conspicuous feature, and distin- 

 guishing it readily from the original species, the leaves of which are 

 pointed ; but it does not (lower freely. 



