MAGNOLIACEAE 137 



LIRIODENDRON 



Deciduous trees. Leaves alternate, long stalked, 2-6 lobed, nearly 

 truncate or notched at the apex, never pointed. Enclosed in winter in 

 flattened buds composed of a pair of stipules to each leaf; the twig 

 encircled by a scar at each node. Flowers solitary with 3 sepals and 6 

 petals. Stamens numerous, surrounding the numerous pistils, imbricated 

 in a cone-like axis. Anthers linear. Carpels 1 celled and 2 ovuled, be- 

 coming dry, indehiscent and winged; and as they mature, forming an erect 

 cone-like fruit, the carpels gradually falling away from the central axis at 

 maturity except a few outer, basal scales which are persistent for some time. 



Only 2 closely allied species known, 1 North American the other 

 Chinese. In preglacial times Liriodendron extended over the entire 

 Eastern North America and over Europe as far south as Italy. The 

 wood is light, soft and brittle, extensively used in America in the wood- 

 working industries. The sapwood is creamy white, the heartwood 

 greenish yellow. An alkaloid, which has the property of stimulating the 

 heart, has been separated from the bark of the American species. 



Liriodendron chinense Sargent. 



A small tree attainirg a height of 16 m. Leaves 4 lobed, rounded 

 or slightly heart-shaped at the base, shining green above, pale glaucous 

 below, from 12-14 cm. long and as broad or broader. Petals 7-9 cm. 

 long. Flowers 5-6 cm, long, cup-shaped greenish yellow, marked 

 with orange inside at the base of the oblong-obovate petals. Cone-like 

 fruit erect, light brown, slender, 9-10 cm. long, 2 cm. wide. Carpels bear 

 1-2 seeded nutlets at the base. 



Kiangsi and Hupeh. 



This tree is most- desirable for street and lawn planting on account 

 of its comparative freedom from insect pests and fungous diseases, as 

 well as for its unique, 2-lobed leaves and large, handsome flowers. 



MAGNOLIA 



Deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, entire, 

 stipules enveloping the leaves in the bud and leaving conspicuous encir- 

 cling scars at each node. Flowers single, terminal, appearing before or 

 with the leaves. Sepals 3, sometimes petal-like, deciduous; petals 6-18. 



