Magnolia
(named after Pierre Magnol, 1638-1715, Professor of Medicine, and Prefect of the Botanic Garden at Montpellier). ORD. Magnoliaceae. This genus comprises about twenty species of elegant ornamental greenhouse or hardy evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs, of which thirteen are natives of Japan, China, and the Himalayas, and the rest are North American. Flowers conspicuous, solitary, terminal; petals six to twelve, in two or more series. Leaves large, entire. Magnolias are readily increased by layering; also by seeds, which should be sown, so soon as ripe, in a frame and kept moderately moist until they germinate. Veneering and side-cleft grafting are also practicable in July and August; the stocks operated upon being placed in a close frame until a union is effected. M. conspicua is one of the earliest and most beautiful of outside flowering trees. It, as well as several other species, should be provided with a sheltered situation, especially in the colder parts of the country. M. acuminata is, perhaps, the hardiest species of the genus, and forms a fine large tree. M. grandiflora is well adapted for planting against the wall of a house where there is a considerable space to be covered; its massive evergreen leaves and large white blossoms being especially distinct and attractive in late summer and autumn. The flowers of the majority of Magnolias emit an agreeable and strong perfume. Those of M. fuscata, an evergreen slowgrowing greenhouse species, are very powerfully scented when the sun shines, one or two flowers being sufficient to perfume a large house. M. glauca, a very desirable small-flowered hardy shrubby species, is also agreeably scented. Magnolias succeed best in warm positions, and in a moderately rich soil, which should be of a free, open texture. They are somewhat impatient of root disturbance.
M. acuminata (acuminated).* Cucumber-tree. fl. glaucous-green, tinged with yellow, 3in. to 4in. in diameter, scarcely scented, petals six to nine. May to July. fr. about 3in. long, when young somewhat resembling a small cucumber. l. oblong, acuminate; under surface pubescent. h. 30ft. to 60ft. North America, 1736. A large, vigorous, hardy, deciduous tree, with spreading branches. (B. M. 2427; L. B. C. 418.) M. auriculata (eared). A synonym of M. Fraseri.
M. Campbellii (campbell's). fl. pale rose inside, crimson outside, slightly fragrant, 6in. to 10in. in diameter. April. l. large, ovate-lanceolate, silky hairy beneath. Sikkim, 1868. A very handsome deciduous tree in its native habitat, but not sufficiently hardy to withstand our winters, except in the most favoured spots. It flowered outside in the South of Ireland in 1883, and again in 1885.
M. conspicua (conspicuous).* The Yulan. Fl. white, sometimes suffused with purple, expanding during the day, very fragrant, erect, produced in great profusion; petals six to nine. February to May. l. obovate, abruptly acuminated, younger ones pubescent, expanding after the flowers. h. 20ft. to 50ft. China, 1789. A well-known and handsome hardy deciduous tree, of which there are one or two varieties in cultivation. SYN. M. Yulan. (B. M. 1621.) M. c. Soulangeana (Soulange's). Probably a natural hybrid between M. conspicua and M. obovata; it has the large flowers of the former, and the purple-tinted petals of the latter species. France. (B. R. 1164, under name of M. Yulan Soulangeana, and S. B. F. G. 260, under name of M. Soulangeana.) M. c. S. nigra (black). A form with still darker flowers. M. cordata (cordate). fl. yellow, lined with purple, erect, about 4in. in diameter, scentless; petals six to nine, oblong. April to July. l. heart-shaped, somewhat ovate, acute, from 4in. to 6in. long; under surface tomentose, upper surface smooth. h. 40ft. to 50ft. North America, 1801. Hardy deciduous tree. (L. B. C. 474.) M. Fraseri (Fraser's). Long-leaved Cucumber-tree. fl. yellowish-white, erect, 3in. to 4in. in diameter, very sweet-scented; petals nine, oblong. April. l. 1ft. or more long, smooth, under surface somewhat glaucous, spathulately-obovate, cordate at the base, with blunt, approximate auricles. h. 30ft. to 50ft. North America, 1786. A bold and imposing hardy deciduous species, with spongy wood. SYN. M. auriculata. (A. B. R. 573; B. M. 1206.) M. fuscata (brown-stalked).* fl. dull purple, very fragrant, small, erect. April. l. elliptical-oblong, adult ones smooth, younger ones, as well as branches and petioles, covered with brown tomentum. h. 2ft. to 4ft. China, 1789. A greenhouse evergreen shrub. (A. B. R. 229; B. M. 1008.) M. glauca (glaucous).* fl. white, very fragrant, about 3in. in diameter; petals nine to twelve, ovate, concave. May to July. l. elliptical, obtuse, under surface glaucous. h. 15ft. North America, 1688. A very desirable hardy evergreen shrub. (L. B. C. 215.) M. g. major (larger). A form of vigorous habit, with leaves and flowers two or three times larger than those of the type. SYN. M. Thompsoniana, of gardens. (B. M. 2164.) M. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. white, sweet-scented, large, from 6in. to 8in. in diameter, erect; petals nine to twelve. Summer. l. oval-oblong, coriaceous, upper surface shining, under surface rusty. h. 70ft. to 80ft. North America, 1737. A handsome stately hardy evergreen tree, branching, and forming a fine pyramidal head. (A. B. R. 518.) There are numerous varieties, differing from the type in the shape of the leaves; they are not, as a rule, of much importance.
M. Halleana (Hall's). A synonym of M. stellata.
M. macrophylla (large-leaved).* fl. white, purple at the base, sweet-scented, 8in. to 10in. in diameter; petals six to nine, ovate, June. l. very large, 1ft. to 3ft. long, 8in. to 10in. broad, oblong-obovate, somewhat panduriform, cordate at the base, under surface whitish-glaucous. h. 30ft. North America, 1800. A very handsome hardy deciduous tree, with white smooth bark. (B. M. 2189.) M. obovata (obovate). fl. purple outside, white within, large, tulip-shaped, fragrant; petals six. April. l. large, obovate, dark green. h. 5ft. Japan, 1790. A very pretty, small, hardy, deciduous shrub.
M. o. discolor (two-coloured). A form with larger flowers than the type. (B. M. 390, under name of M. purpurea.) M. parviflora (small-flowered).* fl. white, rosy-tinted, almost globular. Spring. l. round-ovate, cuspidate; petioles and principal nerves covered with short reddish pubescence beneath. A hardy deciduous shrub. Japan. (Gn. Dec. 8, 1883.) M. purpurea (purple). A synonym of M. obovata discolor. M. stellata (starry).* fl. white, 3in. in diameter, sweet-scented; sepals shorter than petals, oblong, hairy outside; petals reflexed, narrow, linear-oblong, obtuse; anthers yellow, shorter than the green pistil. March to