Dilleniaceae, Magnoliaceae and Annonaceae Fortnight: Magnoliaceae- Magnolia grandiflora from Kashmir-GSMAR1

[Gurcharan Singh]

Magnolia grandiflora L., Bull Bay, Southern Magnolia

A very commonly cultivated evergreen tree in Kashmir, with large creamish white fragrant flowera and leathery leaves, rusty on the under side. Commonly planted in Moghul gardens.

I have seen specimens of Magnolia grandiflora, some even in California but never seen such magestic trees and such large flowers as seen in Kashmir. Even flowerbud may be as long as 15 cm, and if plucked and kept in a flower vase it may open and remain fresh even up to 10 days, emitting fragrans all this time. This one was photographed from Nishat Garden.

 

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Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Retired  Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.
Phone: 011-25518297  Mob: 9810359089
http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/