CUCUMBER-TREE 
entire habit is changed; the branches start low, become 
pendent, and by the time the tree is thirty feet high, the ends 
of the lower branches sweep the 
ground, making the contour a 
beautiful cone, and beneath 
the branches a perfect tent. 
Flowering Branch of Cucumber-tree, Magnolia acuminata. 
Such a tree having its branches tipped with pink fruit pre- 
sents in. September a unique and striking appearance. 
The spray of the Cucumber, like that of all large-leaved 
trees, is coarse. The effect of the foliage, however, is singu- 
larly fine, for the leaves are of a clear 
bright green, arranged alternately 
along the branch and short petioled, 
so that they have little independent 
motion, and the branch sways as a 
whole when moved by the wind. 
The flowers are not so beautiful nor 
so conspicuous as those of the other 
magnolias, for their greenish yellow 
color causes them virtually to be iost 
among the leaves. 
The fruit is a cylinder-shaped bunch 
borne at the end of the branch, with a 
tendency as it matures to turn up. When 
green this somewhat resembles a cucumber, whence the name 
of the tree. In September the little cucumber turns pink, 
13 
Cucumber-tree Fruit Discharg- 
ing its Seed. 
