M. conspícua.
9. Magnòlia conspícua, Salisb. (Yulan or Chinese White Magnolia.) Leaves deciduous, obovate, abruptly acuminate, pubescent when young. Flowers large (4 in.), cream-white, very fragrant, appearing very early (May), before any of the leaves. Fruit rarely formed, with few (1 to 3, rarely more) seeds to a cone. Bark dark brown on the young branches; terminal winter buds over ½ in. long. Small tree (10 to 30 ft.) with spreading habit and stout branches; very extensively cultivated for its abundant early bloom; from China.
M. Kòbus.
10. Magnòlia Kòbus. (Thurber's Japan Magnolia.) Leaves similar to the preceding, but smaller. Flowers also similar, but pure white. Fruit abundantly formed, with several (2 to 12) seeds to the cone. Bark green on the young growth; terminal winter-buds under ½ in. long. Small tree (15 to 40 ft.) with erect habit and slender branches. A beautiful tree of recent introduction from Japan.
M. purpùrea.
11. Magnòlia purpùrea, Sims. (Purple Japan Magnolia.) Leaves obovate, pointed at both ends, dark green. Flowers erect, of 3 sepals and 6 obovate, purple petals; blooming about as the leaves expand. A low tree, or usually merely a shrub, from Japan; often cultivated.
Besides the Magnolias here given, there are quite a number of varieties and hybrids in cultivation, from China and Japan, most of them blooming before the leaves expand in spring.