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Magnolia

(Science: botany) a genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.

magnolia grandiflora has coriaceous shining leaves and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North Carolina to Florida and Texas, and is one of the most magnificent trees of the American forest. The sweet bay (M. Glauca)is a small tree found sparingly as far north as Cape Ann. Other American species are M. Umbrella, M. Macrophylla, M. Fraseri, M. Acuminata, and M. Cordata. M. Conspicua and M. Purpurea are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern asia. M. Campbellii, of india, has rose-coloured or crimson flowers.

(Science: zoology) magnolia warbler, a beautiful North American wood warbler (Dendroica maculosa). The rump and under parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are spotted with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is ash.

Origin: NL. Named after Pierre Magnol, professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th century.