Magnoliaceae- Introduction

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Magnoliaceae 
      Magnolia Family

Named after a French Botanist Pierre Magnol, this family often consists of aromatic shrubs or trees. The family has about 12 genera and 230 species. The Magnoliaceae are important as common ornamentals and as a source of wood. Some common Indian genera are: 
 
Magnolia




 

Liriodendron



Michelia (champa)

Talauma

Manglietia 

 Schizandra

 

Field Recognition

  • Trees or shrubs
  • Leaves simple, alternate
  • Stipules leave a circular scar
  • Flower large, actinomorphic
  • Perianth  6 to 18
  • Stamens many, apocarpous 

Uses
  • Magnolia species are commonly cultivated in gardens as ornamentals.
  •   Michelia champaca is a common garden ornamental plant and is a source of a volatile oil which is widely used in perfumery and cosmetics. Its flowers and fruits are used to cure kidney troubles and gonorrhoea.  
  •   Michelia fuscata flowers yield an essential oil which is used as hair oil.
  •   Liriodendron tulpifera bears beautiful scented flowers. It yields good timber for furniture.
  •   Talauma phellocarpa trees yield good quality timber used in making tea boxes and furniture.
  • Manglietia hookeri provides good furniture wood.
  • Wood of Pachylarnax and Aclimandra cathcartii is useful in making indoor furniture.
  • Illicium verum yields an oil useful in colic disorders. I griffithii fruits are used as condiment for flavouring curries.
  • Drimys winteri bark is used as an astringent and stimulant.
  • Schizandra grandiflora fruits are edible.         






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