10 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
GENUS II. 
MAGNOLIA Lin. THE MAGNOLIA. 
Lyn. Syst. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Calyx of three deciduous sepals, that re- 
semble petals. Corolla of from six to nine petals. Stamens numerous. 
Pistils numerous. Carpels disposed compactly in spikes, opening by the 
e.xternal angle, one or two-seeded, permanent. Seeds baccate, some- 
what cordate, pendulous, hanging out beyond the carpels by a very long 
umbilical thread. ((?. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The Magnolias, as is well known, are all beautiful trees with very ornamental flowers; hut 
all the North American kinds are quite hardy. The Asiatic species, on the contrary, are all more or less 
tender ; and though the greater part of them will live in the open air in the neighbom’hood of London, yet their 
flowers are more abundant and more ornamental in a warmer climate. Magnolia conspicua is generally grown 
in the open air in this country, and it flowers profusely ; but the beauty of its flowers is very apt to he destroyed 
by the spring frosts, and it is seldom seen to advantage, unless it is trained against a wall where it can be 
protected if necessary. Magnolia purpurea is quite hardy ; but the flowers will not expand unless the weather 
is warm. M. gracilis is nearly allied to M. purpurea, and both will not flower well m the open air in exposed 
situations. They are, however, rarely grown in conservatories, on account of the space they take. 
1.— MAGNOLIA FUSCATA Andr. THE BROWN-STALKED MAGNOLIA. 
SvNONYMES. — M. anouEcfolia (SaZAZi. ; M. versicolor the neighbouring part of the stem clothed with a brown glandular 
Engravings. — Bot. Rep., t. 229 ; Bot. Mag., t. 1008. pubescence. 
Specific Character. — Flowers six-petaled, erect ; the calyx and 
Description, &c. — It is a native of China, whence it was introduced about the year 1800. When first 
introduced it was kept in a stove, and found to be evergreen, but as it did not flower well, it was removed to a 
greenhouse, where its leaves dropped in autumn, and it flowered freely the following June, producing a succession 
of blossoms till September. The flowers are of a reddish brotvu, the petals being very thick and fleshy, and they 
have a very peculiar kind of fragrance, which is generally considered more agreeable than the odour of Magnolia 
grandijiora, which is unpleasant to many persons from its excessive sweetness. M.fuscata is a shrub of low 
growth, seldom attaining a height of more than two feet. It is propagated by cuttings. 
2.— MAGNOLIA PUMILA, Andr. THE DWARF MAGNOLIA. 
Synonyms. — Talauma pumila Dec. I Specific Character. — Flowers globose, six-petaled. Stems smooth. 
Engravings. — Bot. Rep., t. 226 ; Bot. Mag., t. 977. j Leaves elliptic, acuminate, undulated. 
Description, &c. — This very beautiful plant most nearly resembles Magnolia glaitca, both in the shape of its 
flowers and in their fragrance ; though in this plant the fragrance is so much more powerful than in any other 
species of the genus, that a small flower will perfume a large apartment. Like the last species, this plant is an 
evergreen in the stove, and deciduous in the greenhouse. It was introduced from China in 1786. 
