76 



ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY CIRCULAR 51 



Fig. 71. — American 

 linden produces con- 

 spicuous clusters of yel- 

 lowish-white, sweetly 

 fragrant flowers. The 

 broad, lopisded leaves 

 (inset) are somewhat 

 heart shaped. 



veneer, and paper pulp. The lindens are relatively free of dis- 

 eases and insect pests. However, an occasional American linden 

 is affected by Verticillium wilt. 



Magnolia 



Only one magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) , the cucumber tree 

 or mountain magnolia (Fig. 72), is native to Illinois, occurring 

 in Alexander, Johnson, Pulaski, and Union counties in the south- 

 ern tip of the state. It is usually pyramidal in shape when 

 growing in the open but may grow columnar in shape when 

 crowded. It is moderate to large in size, at times reaching a 

 height of 80-90 feet and a branch spread of 40-45 feet. It is re- 

 sistant to injury from ice and wind. 



The very large, dark green, broadly elliptical leaves (Fig. 

 72 inset) are 6-10 inches long and 4-6 inches wide. They are 

 smooth above and smooth or hairy beneath, and the margins are 

 smooth or slightly warty. This tree and two introduced magno- 

 lias, the sweet bay (M. virginiana) and saucer magnolia (M. 

 soulangeana) (Fig. 73), are used as specimen plants. Sweet bay 

 and saucer magnolia are small trees or large shrubs. 



