MAGNOLIACEAE 173 



ties (after being creosoted) in some parts of Alabama right now, 

 but it is not well adapted for that purpose, being too soft. Next 

 to some of the pines, it has probably been sawn into lumber more 

 than any other tree in the South, so that the existing supply is now 

 only a fraction of what it once was. 



The inner bark, esjiecially of the root, has tonic, stimulant, and 

 diaphoretic properties, and it has been used a good deal in domes- 

 tic medicine in the rural districts, but is not officinal. More in- 

 formation about the uses of this tree can be found in Circular !)3 

 of the U. S. Forest Service. 



The yellow poplar seems to prefer slightly damp non-calcareous 

 soils, with plenty of humus and reasonable protection from fire, 

 but no standing water. It is occasionally found on or near lime- 

 stone outcrops, however, especially near Suggsville. It grows in 

 every county, and seems to constitute from two to four per cent 

 of the present forest of nearly every region, except 14 and 15. 

 It is most abundant in the Piedmont region, and uncommon in the 

 black belt. 



ILLICIUM, Linnaeus. (St.\r-Axise). 



Illicium Floridanum, Ellis. 



Laurel. Stinking Laurel. Stinking Bay. Stink-bush, 



(Map 18, Fig. 47) 



A large handsome aromatic evergreen shrub, with odd-looking 

 ill-scented dark red flowers scattered singly along the branches, 

 blooming in April and early May. Easily recognized by the odor 

 which is given off by the leaves, especially when bruised, and is 

 much like turpentine, and not as unpleasant as some of the com- 

 mon names would suggest. (These names, however, may possibly 

 allude to the flowers.) Bartram, in his Travels, speaks enthusi- 

 astically of the "fragrant groves of sweet llliciuiii," which he saw- 

 in southern Alabama about 150 years ago. 



Notwithstanding its beauty and its aromatic properties, I 

 have never heard of this species being cultivated or used in any 

 way ; but it deserves chemical investigation. It ought at least to 

 have some medicinal properties, like its Chinese relatives. 



