Part 38

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found in scattered growth throughout the State.

=Habitat=.—Grows best in rich bottoms, but is found scattered with other hardwoods in various locations.

=Notes=.—The Mulberry is easily distinguished in summer by its irregular leaf forms and peculiar fruits. It is not important as a lumber tree, though the wood is attractive and durable.

CUCUMBER TREE

=Magnolia acuminata=, L.

=Form=.—Height 50-90 feet, diameter 2-4 feet; trunk long, clear, straight; crown usually pyramidal with spreading lower branches.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, ovate, 4-12 inches long, apex pointed, entire, thin, smooth above, pale and downy beneath.

=Flowers=.—April-June; perfect, upright, solitary, bell-shaped, greenish-yellow, about 3 inches long.

=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; fleshy, cucumber-shaped, about 2½ inches long, composed of 1-2-seeded carpels; seeds scarlet, drupe-like, attached by slender extensile threads.

=Bark=.—Grayish-brown, furrowed, with loose scales.

=Wood=.—Light, soft, close-grained, durable, yellowish, resembling Yellow Poplar, and used for interior finish and other purposes in buildings.

=Range=.—New York to Georgia, west to Kansas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—With other hardwoods throughout the State. Most plentiful in the mountainous and high hilly sections.

=Habitat=.—Prefers rich soils of bottoms and hillsides.

=Notes=.—The Cucumber is valuable as a forest and shade tree and should be propagated for these purposes. It can be distinguished from the other West Virginia magnolias by its smaller leaves, its greenish-yellow flowers, and its usually larger size.

UMBRELLA TREE

=Magnolia tripetala=, L.

=Form=.—Height 25-50 feet, diameter 10-15 inches; trunk straight, with spreading branches which form a broad, round-topped crown.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, arranged near the ends of the branches in an umbrella-like circle, simple, obovate-lanceolate, pointed at both ends, 12-24 inches long, with short stout petioles, entire, smooth on both sides when old.

=Flowers=.—Appear in May; perfect, solitary, erect, surrounded by a whorl of leaves, petals creamy white, 4-5 inches long, slightly scented.

=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; cylindric or oblong, cone-like, 2-4 inches long, fleshy, composed of numerous rose-colored follicles which split on the back at maturity and liberate small flat, red seeds.

=Bark=.—Smooth, light gray, sometimes roughened by scattered irregular projections.

=Wood=.—Light, soft, close-grained, not strong, light brown, with white sapwood.

=Range=.—Southern Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to northern Mississippi and Arkansas.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Found on swamp borders or along streams in the following counties: Boone, Braxton, Fayette, Kanawha, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Randolph, Raleigh, Upshur, Webster, Wyoming.

=Habitat=.—Prefers rich soil of streams and swamps.

=Notes=.—The Umbrella Magnolia is chiefly valuable as an ornamental tree. It is especially attractive in autumn when the bright, rose-colored fruits are mature.

MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA