MAGNOLIACEAE

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 246

LXIV. MAGNOLIACEAE 1

Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple leaves. Stipules large, deciduous, leaving annular scars at the nodes. Flowers actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, large, solitary. Perianth-segments free, arranged in whorls of 3-6, usually not differentiated into sepals and petals. Stamens numerous, spirally arranged. Carpels unilocular, numerous, spirally arranged. Fruiting carpels dry or fleshy, 1 - or more-seeded, usually dehiscent. Embryo minute; endosperm copious.

Apart from Liriodendron , several species of Magnolia , with entire leaves which are not truncate or emarginate at apex, and with dehiscent fruiting carpels from which the seeds hang on long, silky threads, are cutilvated for ornament.