Michelia
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about 50; see text |
Michelia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). The genus includes about 50 species of evergreen trees and shrubs, native to tropical and subtropical south and southeast Asia (Indomalaya), including southern China.
The Magnoliaceae are an ancient family; fossil plants identifiably belonging to the Magnoliaceae back to 95 million years. A primitive aspect of the Magnolia family is that their large, cup-shaped flowers lack distinct petals or sepals. The large non-specialized flower parts, resembling petals, are called tepals.
The leaves, flowers, and form of Michelia resemble Magnolia, but the blossoms of Michelia generally form clusters among the leaves, rather than singly at the branch ends like Magnolia.
Several of the larger species are locally important sources of timber. Some species, including the Champak (M. champaca) and M. doltsopa are grown for their flowers, both on the tree and as cut flowers. Champak flowers are also used to produce an essential oil for perfume. A few species have been introduced to gardens or as street trees outside of the Indomalaya region, including M. figo, M. doltsopa, and M. champaca. The genus is named after the Florentine botanist Pietro Antonio Micheli (1679–1737).
[edit] Recent changes in classification
Morphological data[1] and molecular data[2][3] recently showed that the genus Michelia is very closely related to subgenus Yualania of genus Magnolia. Many botanists now treat the genus Michelia accordingly. New combinations of names have been provided for. For further information see under genus Magnolia.
[edit] Michelia species
- M. aenea
- M. alba (syn. M. longifolia). White Champaca or White Sandalwood.
- M. angustioblonga
- M. balansae
- M. baillonii (syn. Aromadendron spongocarpum, Paramichelia baillonii)
- M. braianensis
- M. calcicola
- M. caloptila
- M. cavaleriei
- M. champaca. Champak. Native to India, Java, and the Philippines. A tree or shrub which grows from 3 to 6 meters high and wide. Glossy bright green leaves to 16 cm. Produces fragrant orange, yellow, or creamy white flowers in the spring. The flowers of this plant produce an essential oil that is used in perfume.
A bright orange Michelia champaca blossom.
- M. chapaensis (syn. M. constricta)
- M. compressa (syn. M. formosana, M. philippinensis)
- M. coriacea
- M. crassipes
- M. doltsopa (syn. M. manipurensis). Large shrubs and trees, growing to 30 meters. Native to the eastern Himalayas and Meghalaya subtropical forests. Varies in form from bushy to narrow and upright. Leathery dark-green leaves, 6 to 17 cm in length. Clusters of creamy white flowers in winter. Growing in popularity as a street tree in coastal California.
- M. elegans
- M. elliptilimba
- M. faveolata
- M. figo (syn. Michelia fuscata). Banana Shrub. A slow growing shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 meters high and nearly as wide. Densely covered with small glossy green leaves. Bears clusters of large, white, sometimes purple-streaked, flowers with a potent, sweet banana scent. Port Wine Magnolia is a variety that bears rose to maroon flowers.
- M. flaviflora
- M. floribunda
- M. foveolata
- M. fujianensis
- M. fulgens
- M. fulva
- M. fuscata
- M. guangxiensis
- M. hedyosperma (syn. M. hypolampra)
- M. ingrata
- M. insignis. Native to Meghalaya subtropical forests
- M. iteophylla
- M. kisopa. Native to Meghalaya subtropical forests
- M. koordersiana
- M. lacei (syn. M. tignifera)
- M. laevifolia
- M. lanuginosa (syn. M. velutina) Native to Meghalaya subtropical forests
- M. leveillana
- M. longipetiolata
- M. longistamina
- M. longistyla
- M. macclurei
- M. martini
- M. masticata
- M. maudiae
- M. mediocris
- M. microtricha
- M. montana
- M. nilagirica. Native to southern India.
- M. odora (syn. Tsoongiodendron odorum)
- M. pachycarpa
- M. platypetala
- M. polylneura
- M. punduana. Native to Meghalaya subtropical forests
- M. rajaniana
- M. salicifolia
- M. scortechinii
- M. sinensis (syn. M. wilsonii)
- M. shiluensis
- M. skinneriana
- M. sphaerantha
- M. subulifera
- M. szechuanica
- M. xanthantha
- M. yunnanensis
[edit] References
- ^ Figlar, R.B. (2000), Proleptic branch initiation in Michelia and Magnolia subgenus Yulania provides basis for combinations in subfamily Magnolioideae. In: Liu Yu-hu et al., Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Family Magnoliaceae: 14-25, Science Press, Beijing
- ^ Azuma, H., L.B. Thien & S. Kawano (1999), Molecular phylogeny of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) inferred from cpDNA sequences and evolutionary divergence of the floral scents. Journal of Plant Research 112(1107): 291-306
- ^ Kim, S. et al. (2001), Phylogenetic relationships in family Magnoliaceae inferred from ndhF sequences. American Journal of Botany. 88(4): 717-728
