106 FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 
celled in this respect by numerous Asiatic species, most. of whick differ 
from our forms in flowering before the leaves appear in early spring. 
Probably the handsomest of our native Magnolias is M. foetida, which 
is evergreen-leaved, and which in the extreme South attains very lofty 
proportions. In this region grows also Illicium Floridanum, a shrub 
with dark green leaves and reddish-purple flowers, suggestive of a 
Fig. 90. Flowering branch of moonseed (Menispermum Canadense) one-third natural size. Original. 
diminutive Magnolia. Like all the plants belonging to this family, it 
possesses bitter and aromatic properties. 
Family Calycanthaceae. Calycanthus Family. Contains the two 
genera Butneria, formerly known as Calycanthus, and Chimonanthus. 
They are shrubs having very fragrant flowers, which in the former 
genus exhale the odor of strawberries, whence the name “strawberry 
shrub.” The sepals and petals are very numerous and imbricated ; the 
stamens innumerable; the pistils also innumerable, and enclosed in the 
hollow, calyx-like receptacle; from this peculiar character is derived 
