7. M. AURICULA TA Lam. The auricled-leaved Magnolia. Identification. Willd. Sp., 2. p. 1258.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 80.; Hayne Dend., 117.; Don's Mill, 1. p. 83. Synonymes. M. Fràseri Walt.; M. auricularis Salisb.; Indian Physic, and long-leaved Cucumber Spec. Char. Deciduous. Leaves smooth, under surface somewhat glaucous, spathulately obovate, cordate at the base, with blunt approximate auricles. Sepals 3, spreading. Petals 9, oblong. (Don's Mill., i. p. 83.) A tree of the middle size. North America. Yellowish-white flowers. April and May. 1786. Description. This tree attains the height of from 40 ft. to 45 ft., with a straight trunk 12 in. or 15 in. in diameter, often undivided for half its length; the branches spread widely, and ramify but sparingly; and this circumstance, Michaux observes, gives the tree a very peculiar air, so that it may readily be known at a distance, even in winter. The leaves are of a light green colour, of a fine texture, 8 in. or 9 in. long, and from 4 in. to 6 in. broad: on young and vigorous trees they are often one third, or even one half, larger. They are smooth on both surfaces, acuminate at the summit, widest near the top, and narrowest towards the bottom. The base is divided into rounded lobes, whence is derived the specific name of auriculàta. The flowers are 3 in. or 4 in. in diameter, of a milky white, of an agreeable odour, and are situated at the extremity of the young shoots, which are of a purplish red, dotted with white. The fruit is oval, 3 in. or 4 in. long, and, like that of Magnòlia tripétala, of a beautiful rose colour when ripe. They differ from those of the other species by a little inferiority of size, and by a small appendage which terminates the carpels. Each carpel contains one or two seeds. The wood is soft, spongy, very light, and unfit for use. The bark is grey, and always smooth, even on the oldest trees. When the epidermis is removed, the cellular integument, by contact with the air, instantly changes from white to yellow. The bark has an agreeable aromatic odour, and an infusion of it in some spirituous liquor is employed as an excellent sudorific in rheumatic affections. (Michaux.) In England, annual shoots of young plants are from 1 ft to 2 ft. or more in length; and the height which the tree usually attains in 10 years is from 10 ft. to 15 ft. The highest tree within ten miles of London is at Messrs. Loddiges's, where it has attained the height of 30 ft. The following extract from Bartram's Travels will be read with interest. "This exalted peak 1 named Mount Magnolia, from a new and beautiful species of that celebrated family of flowering trees, which here, at the cascades of Falling Creek, grows in a high degree of perfection. I had, indeed, noticed this curious tree several times before, particularly on the high ridges betwixt Sinica and Keowe, and on ascending the first mountain after leaving Keowe, where I observed it in flower: but here it flourishes and commands our attention. This tree (or perhaps rather shrub) rises 18 ft. to 30 ft. in height. There are usually many stems from a root, or source, which lean a little, or slightly diverge from each other, in this respect imitating the Magnòlia tripétala; the crooked wreathing branches arising and subdividing from the main stem without order or uniformity; their extremities turn upwards, producing a very large rosaceous, perfectly white, double, or polypetalous, flower, which is of a most fragrant scent. This fine flower sits in the centre of a radius of very large leaves, which are of a singular figure, somewhat lanceolate, but broad towards their extremities, terminating with an acuminated point, and backwards they attenuate, and become very narrow towards their bases, terminating that way with two long narrow ears, or lappels, one on each side of the insertion of the petiole. The leaves have only short footstalks, sitting very near each other, at the extremities of the floriferous branches, from which they spread themselves after a regular order, like the spokes of a wheel; their margins touching, or lightly lapping upon, each other, form an expansive umbrella, superbly crowned or crested with the fragrant flower, representing a white plume. The blossom is succeeded by a very large crimson cone, or strobile, containing a great number of scarlet berries, which, when ripe, spring from their cells, and are, for a time, suspended by a white silky web or thread. The leaves of those trees which grow in a rich humid soil, when fully expanded and at maturity, are frequently above 2 ft. in length, and 6 in. or 8 in. where broadest. I discovered, in the maritime parts of Georgia, particularly on the banks of the Alatamaha, another new species of Magnolia [M. aur. pyramidàta], whose leaves were nearly of the figure of those of this tree; but they were much less in size, not more than 6 in. or 7 in. in length, and the strobile very small, oblong, sharp-pointed, and of a fine deep crimson colour; but I never saw the flower. These trees grow straight and erect, 30 ft. or more in height, and of a sharp conical form, much resembling the cucumber tree [M. acuminata] in figure." (Bartram's Travels, p. 338.) Geography. This species appears to be confined to a particular part of the Alleghanies, nearly 300 miles from the sea. It is found on the steep banks of the rivers which rise in these lofty mountains. It appears to be very sparingly distributed; the distance of 150 miles occurring, in some cases, between the spots where it is to be met with. Michaux says, "I have no where found it so abundant as on the steepest part of the lofty mountains of North Carolina, particularly those which are called by the inhabitants, Great Father Mountains, and Black and Iron Mountains." The soil of these mountains is brown, deep, and of an excellent quality; and the tree is found to multiply so fast from seed, that a thousand plants might be collected in a single day. The atmosphere, in such situations, is continually charged with moisture, from the number of torrents which rush down from the summits. History. This tree was discovered by Bartram, from whom it was first received in England by Messrs. Loddiges, in 1786. It was, probably, soon afterwards sent to France; because we find Madame Lemonnier, the widow of Michaux's patron and friend, describing a tree of this species in her garden in 1800, which was 9 ft. high, and had already flowered. As it is of difficult propagation, it is not very generally distributed; but it is found in the principal botanic gardens of the middle of Europe, and in first-rate nurseries. Soil, Situation, &c. The soil, as we learn from Michaux, ought to be free and deep; and the situation low, sheltered, and moist, rather than dry. As seeds are not very easily procured, the common mode of propagation is by layers, or by inarching on M. acuminata. In both modes, two years are required before the plants can be separated from the parent stock. If the demand for plants were adequate, abundance of seeds might, no doubt, be procured from America. Statistics. The parent tree is at Messrs. Loddiges. In the Exotic Nursery, King's Road, there is a tree of this species 16 ft. high; and in the Hammersmith Nursery there is one 18 ft. high. At Sherwood, one 18 years planted is only 12 ft. high; at White Knights, one 33 years planted is 26 ft. high; and in the Killerton Nursery, Devonshire, one 8 years planted is 14 ft. high. At Cobham Hall, in Kent, one 17 years planted is 25 ft. high; in Knap Hill Nursery there is a tree 20 ft. high; and at Barton, in Suffolk, one only 10 years planted which is 19 ft. high. There are trees of this species in Scotland and Ireland, but they are chiefly trained against walls. There are several in the gardens about Paris, and some at Scéaux, which have attained the height of 20 ft. In the botanic garden at Rouen the height is 10 ft. In the botanic garden at Ghent there is a specimen 22 ft. high. In Germany, M. auriculata is either trained against a wall, or treated as a green-house plant. The price of a single plant, about London, is from 7s. 6d. to 21s.; at Bollwyller, 10 francs; in New York, 1 dollar. † 8. M. (? AUR.) PYRAMIDA`TA Bartr. The pyramidal-headed Magnolia. Identification. Mich. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 328.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 80.; Don's Mill,, 1. p. 83. Engravings. Bot. Reg., t. 407.; E. of Pl. 7917.; and our plate in Vol. II. Spec. Char. Deciduous. Leaves smooth, the same colour on both surfaces, spathulate, obovate, cordate at the base. Auricles spreading. Sepals 3, spreading. Petals 9, lanceolate, pointed. (Don's Mill., i. p. 83.) A low tree. North America. White flowers. May and June. 1811. Height 20 ft. Description, History, &c. This tree, which is found in the western parts of Carolina and Georgia, resembles the preceding species in every particular (except size) so closely, that we have not the least doubt of its being only a variety of it, or, at least, its bearing the same relation to that species which M. cordata does to M. acuminata. It has been found in only two or three localities. One of these is on the banks of the Alatamaha river in Georgia, 40 miles south of Savannah, where it was discovered by M. le Conte. (See Gard. Mag., vol. viii. p. 288.) It was brought to England in 1818 by Mr. Lyon; and the original tree still exists in Messrs. Loddiges's nursery. It is extremely difficult to propagate (which is done by inarching on M. auriculàta); and it is, in consequence, very sparingly distributed over the country. Plants, about London, cost 21s. each; at Bollwyller, 15 francs; in New York, ?. fii. Gwillimia Rott. in Dec. Syst. Derivation. General Gwillim, some time governor of Madras. (Don's Mill., 1. p. 8S.) Sect. Char. Asiatic species, generally with two opposite spathe-like bracteas enclosing the flower-bud. Anthers bursting inwards. Ovaries somewhat distant. Perhaps the species of this section, with one bractea, should have been given among the michelias. It is, however, evident, that none of them are true magnolias. (Don's Mill., i. p. 83.) 9. M. CONSPICUA Salisb. The Yulan, or conspicuous-flowered Magnolia. Identification. Dec. Prod., 1. p. 81.; Don's Mill. 1., p. 83. Synonymes. M. prècia Correa; M. Yulan Desf.; Yu lan, Chinese; the Lily-flowered Magnolia; Magnolier Yulans, Fr.; Yulans Bieberbaum, Ger. Derivations. The epithet prècia was given to this magnolia by M. Correa, because it produces its flowers before its leaves. Yu lan signifies the lily tree. Engravings. Bot. Mag., 1621.; Otto and Hayne, t. 72.; E. of Pl., 7907.; our fig. 34. and the plate of this species in Vol. II. Spec. Char. Leaves obovate, abruptly acuminated, younger ones pubescent, expanding after the flowers. Flowers erect, 6-9-petaled. Styles erect. (Don's Mill., i. p. 93.) A middle-sized tree in China. Flowers white. Feb. to April. Introduced in 1789. Height from 30 ft. to 40 ft. Varieties. M. c. 2 Soulangeàna. Soulange's conspicuous-flowered Magnolia. Description. The leaves, wood, and general habit of the tree bear so close a resemblance to those of M. conspícua, that, when the plant is not in flower, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from that species. The flowers resemble in form those of M. purpurea var. grácilis or of M. purpùrea, and the petals are slightly tinged with purple. It was raised at Fromont, near Paris, from the seeds of a plant of M. conspicua, which stood near one of M. purpùrea, in front of the château of M. Soulange-Bodin; the flowers of the former of which had been accidentally fecundated by the pollen of the latter. M. c. 3 Alexandrina Hort. The Empress Alexandrina's conspicuousflowered Magnolia. -This variety so closely resembles the preceding one, as not to be distinguishable from it otherwise than by its flowering somewhat earlier. It was originated at Paris a few years after the preceding variety, and sent to London by the Parisian nurserymen in 1831. M. c. 4 speciosa Hort. The showy conspicuous-flowered Magnolia. -This is another variety similarly originated, and scarcely, if at all, distinguishable from the last. M. c. 5 citriodora Hort. The Lemon-scented conspicuous-flowered Magnolia. This variety was raised by M. Parmentier of Enghien, but is little known; and, we believe, wholly without merit as a new variety. There are plants of it in the Exotic Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, which Mr. Knight considers as differing very little from M. conspicua. Other Varieties of M. conspicua. This species, as will hereafter appear, has ripened seeds in various places; and, as it fertilises readily with M. purpurea and M. gracilis, many new varieties may be expected when the attention of cultivators is more especially directed to the subject. M. c. Norbertii is a seedling variety, of which there is a plant in the garden of the Horticultural Society, which has not yet flowered. The plants raised from seed of M. c. Soulangeana at Fromont may be productive of something new, as may those raised by Mr. Curtis at Glazenwood, and by Mr. Ward at White Knights. If Signor Manetti succeeds in raising plants from the seeds of M. c. Soulangeana, which have ripened at Monza, he also may introduce some new varieties. Description. This is a very showy tree, distinguishable from all the other magnolias of both sections, by its flowers being of a milk white, and expanding before any of the leaves. The tree assumes a regular conical shape, with a grey bark and numerous branches and twigs, which generally have a vertical, rather than a horizontal, direction; so that a large tree of this species would probably be more fastigiate than any of the others. The young shoots are from 1 ft. to 18 in. in length, and the tree, in ten years, will attain the height of from 10 ft. to 15 ft., flowering the second or third year after grafting. The size of the full-grown tree, in its native country, is said to be from 40 ft. to 50 ft.; the highest which we know of in England is at Eastwell Park, in Kent, which, in 1825, appeared to be upwards of 30 ft. Geography and History. This tree is said to be a native of the southern provinces of China; and to be extensively cultivated there in the gardens of the emperor, and in those of all eminent persons who can afford to procure it. It began to be cultivated in China in the year 627; and from that time it has always held the very first rank, as an ornamental tree, in their gardens. It is not only planted in the open ground, and allowed to attain its full size, but dwarfs are kept in pots and boxes, and forced throughout the winter, so as to keep up a perpetual supply of bloom in the apartments of the imperial palace. So highly is this tree valued, that a plant in flower, presented to the emperor, is thought a handsome present, even from the governor of a province. In very severe winters, the trunks of the trees in the open air are sometimes wrapped round with straw ropes; but it never requires any other protection, even in the climate of Pekin. The tree was introduced into England by Sir Joseph Banks in 1789; but it was many years before it attracted much attention, being considered as requiring a green-house or conservatory. So little was it known in 1807, that it is not enumerated among the magnolias described in Martyn's Miller's Dictionary, published in that year. Within the last twelve years, it has been discovered to be nearly as hardy as the American species, and it is now most extensively cultivated in the nurseries, both in Britain and on the Continent, and finds a place in every collection. It flowers freely every year, as a standard, in the neighbourhood of London, when the wood has been properly ripened during the preceding summer: and, at White Knights, in England; at Fromont, and various other places, in France; and at Monza, in Italy, it has ripened seeds from which young plants have been raised. Some of the flowers having been fecundated with the pollen of M. purpùrea or gracilis, some hybrid varieties have been produced, of which the most beautiful is M. c. Soulangeana. Properties and Uses. Besides its value as an ornamental plant, the Chinese pickle the flower-buds, after having removed the calyx, and use them for flavouring rice. Medicinally, the seeds are taken in powder, in colds and inflammations of the chest. It is also regarded as stomachic; and water, in which it has been steeped, is used for bathing the eyes when inflamed, and for clearing them of gum. The Chinese poets call the tree the symbol of candour and beauty. (N. Duh., i. p. 225.) Soil and Situation. A rich sandy loam seems to suit this species best; but it will grow in any deep free soil, properly drained, and moderately enriched. The situation, when it is to be treated as a standard, ought to be sufficiently open to admit of ripening the wood in autumn, and yet not so warm as to urge forward the flower-buds prematurely in spring, as they are very liable to be injured by frost; from which, however, they may be protected by a very slight covering (during nights and frosty days) of gauze or bunting, stretched over the tree horizontally and supported by posts. Against a wall, the tree shows itself in its greatest beauty; and there it can easily be protected, by a projecting coping, from the severest weather ever experienced in the neighbourhood of London. In warm situations, sloping to the south or south-east, the tree has a fine effect planted in front of a bank of evergreens; and, indeed, wherever it is planted, evergreens should be placed near it, and, if possible, so as to form a back ground, on account of the flowers expanding before the tree is furnished with any leaves. Propagation and Culture. The species and all the varieties are propagated by layers, or by inarching on the Magnòlia purpurea, or on the M. acuminata. When grafted on M. purpurea, the tree is comparatively dwarfed, by which it is rendered very convenient for use as a shrub, or for growing in pots; but, when it is intended to form a tree, it should either be grafted on M. acuminata, or raised from layers or seeds. It generally requires two years before the plants can be separated from the parent stock. Some plants of this species have been raised from seed ripened in Europe; and we have no doubt that, when this magnificent tree becomes better known and more generally in demand, it will be raised in this way as extensively as M. acuminata and M. glaúca are at present. Statistics. An original imported plant, against a wall at Wormleybury, measured, in April, 1835, 27 ft. high, covered a space laterally of 24 ft., and had on it, at that time, 5000 flowers! In Lee's Nursery there are several plants above 20 ft. high, as standards, which flower magnificently every year. At Harringay there is a tree of M. conspicua 25 ft. high, against a wall; and in the same garden there is one of M. c. Soulangeana, 6 years inarched upon a strong plant of M. cordata, which is 20 ft. 6 in. high, the branches extending over a space 16 ft. in diameter, and the diameter of the trunk, at a foot from the ground, being 1 ft. 1 in. In the Kensington Nursery there is a tree of the same height (fig. 35.), of which we had a drawing made in the first week in April, 1827, when it was covered with 1100 blossoms. There is a large |