




10 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
GENUS II. 
MAGNOLIA Zin. THE MAGNOLIA. 
Lyn. Syst. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 
Generic Cuaracter.—Calyx of three deciduous sepals, that re- | external angle, one or two-seeded, permanent. Seeds baccate, some- 
semble petals. Corolla of from six to nine petals. Stamensnumerous. | what cordate, pendulous, hanging out beyond the carpels by a very long 
Pistils numerous. Carpels disposed compactly in spikes, opening by the | umbilical thread. (G. Pon.) 
Description, &c.—The Magnolias, as is well known, are all beautiful trees with very ornamental flowers ; but 
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 neighbourhood 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 be 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. WM. gracilis is nearly allied to M. purpurea, and both will not flower well in 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. 
Syvnonymes.—M. anonefolia Salisb.; M. versicolor Don. the neighbouring part of the stem clothed with a brown glandular 
Eneravines.—Bot. Rep., t. 229; Bot. Mag., t. 1008. pubescence. 
Sprciric Cuaracter.—F lowers 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 brown, the petals being very thick and fleshy, and they 
haye a very peculiar kind of fragrance, which is generally considered more agreeable than the odour of Magnolia 
grandiflora, 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. 
Synonyme.—Talauma pumila Dee. Speciric Cuaracrer.—F lowers globose, six-petaled. Stems smooth. 
Enecravincs.—Bot. Rep., t. 226; Bot. Mag., t. 977. Leaves elliptic, acuminate, undulated. 

Description, &c.—This very beautiful plant most nearly resembles Magnolia glauca, 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. 





