Magnolia acuminàta Linnæus. Cucumber Tree. [Plate 66.] Large trees with furrowed bark which is gray and much resembles the tulip tree except the ridges are shallower and closer; twigs downy at first, becoming glabrous or nearly so and a light to a cherry brown by the end of the season; leaves oval, average blades 15-22 cm. long, rounded to truncate at the base, abruptly short-pointed, pubescent on both sides at first, becoming glabrous above, and remaining pubescent beneath, rarely entirely glabrous; flowers about 6 cm. long, bell-shaped, pale yellowish-green; fruit cylindrical, 5-7 cm. long, 1-2 cm. diameter, the large scarlet seeds begin to push out of their receptacle in September; wood light, soft, not strong, close-grained and durable.
Distribution.—North shore of Lake Erie, western New York, eastern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and along the Appalachian Mountains to southern Alabama and west to Arkansas. It doubtless occurred in all or nearly all of the counties in southern Indiana south of a line drawn from Franklin to Knox Counties. It no doubt was extremely local. For instance a pioneer 81 years old who had always lived in Washington County told me that there were two trees on his farm near Pekin, and these were the only two trees he knew of in the vicinity. These trees were popular because the neighbors came for the fruit to put into whisky for making bitters which were a specific for all ailments. I have seen only a shrub on the Forest Reserve in Clark County. On a beech and sugar maple ridge about 4 miles northwest of Medora in Jackson County on the Geo. W. Scott farm two trees were still standing in 1915. Mr. Scott, a pioneer, said the species was found on the ridge for about 2 miles and that there were about a half dozen trees to the acre, and the largest was about a meter in diameter. It is known in two other places in this county. A tree is still standing in Lawrence County on the Sam Mitchell farm 21/2 miles south of Bedford. Mr. Mitchell is a pioneer and says that a few trees were found in the vicinity on the ridges. It has been reported for Franklin, Floyd and Jefferson Counties. There is hearsay evidence that it occurred in other counties.
MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA Linnæus. Cucumber Tree. (× 1/2.)
Remarks.—The cucumber tree has been too rare in Indiana to be of economic importance. The greatest interest with us is its distribution. The uses of the wood are similar to that of tulip with which it is botanically related. It is said that the greater part of the lumber which is produced in the south is sold as tulip. The seeds of this tree are extremely bitter and no bird, squirrel or mouse will carry or touch them. However, man after macerating them in whisky can use them for medicine.
2. LIRIODÈNDRON. The Tulip Tree.
Liriodendron Tulipífera Linnæus. Tulip. Yellow Poplar. Plate 67. Large trees with deeply furrowed grayish bark; twigs glabrous and glaucous at first, becoming reddish-brown by the end of the season, then gray or dark brown; leaves very variable, 4-6 lobed, average blades 5-12 cm. long, truncate and notched at the apex, more or less rounded, truncate or cordate at the base, glabrous above and below at maturity or with a few hairs on the veins beneath; flowers appear in May or June, large bell-shaped, about 4 cm. deep, greenish-yellow, sometimes tinged with orange-red; fruit upright, cone-shaped, 5-7 cm. long; wood light, weak, soft, stiff, straight and moderately coarse-grained, seasons and works well. Sap wood white, heart wood a light yellow.