Michelia alba

''Michelia'' is a historical genus of flowering plants belonging to the family (Magnoliaceae). The genus included about 50 species of evergreen trees and shrubs, native to tropical and subtropical south and southeast Asia (Indomalaya), including southern China. Today it is regarded as a synonym of ''Magnolia''.

Description

The Magnoliaceae are an ancient family; fossil plants identifiably belonging to the Magnoliaceae date back 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 as ''Magnolia'' does.

Uses

Several of the larger species are locally important sources of timber. Some species, including the champak ''(Michelia champaca)'' and '' Michelia 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 '' Michelia figo'', ''M. doltsopa'', and ''M. champaca.'' The genus is named after the Florentine botanist Pietro Antonio Micheli (1679–1737). They grow to the height of 10–45 metres

Recent changes in classification

Morphological data and molecular data recently showed that the genus ''Michelia'' is very closely related to subgenus ''Yulania'' 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''.

Some former ''Michelia'' species

Some species formerly placed in ''Michelia'' include the following. Synonyms are from Plants of the World Online, .
* ''Michelia aenea'' Dandy, synonym of '' Magnolia foveolata'' Merr. ex Dandy
* ''Michelia'' × ''alba'' DC., synonym of ''Magnolia'' × ''alba''. White champaca or white sandalwood, considered to be a hybrid between '' Magnolia champaca'' and '' Magnolia montana''.
* ''Michelia calcicola'' C.Y. Wu ex Y.-W. Law & Y.-F. Wu, synonym of '' Magnolia fulva'' var. ''calcicola''

* ''Michelia champaca'' L., synonym of '' Magnolia 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.
* ''Michelia compressa'' (Maxim.) Sarg., synonym of '' Magnolia compressa''
* ''Michelia coriacea'' Hung T.Chang & B.L.Chen, synonym of '' Magnolia coriacea''
* ''Michelia doltsopa'' Buch.-Ham. ex DC., synonym of '' Magnolia doltsopa''. 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.
* ''Michelia figo'' (Lour.) Spreng., synonym of '' Magnolia figo'' (basionym: ''Liriodendron figo'' Lour.) 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' is a cultivar that bears rose to maroon flowers.
* ''Michelia fulgens'' Dandy, synonym of '' Magnolia foveolata''
* ''Michelia fuscata'' (Andrews) Blume ex Wall., synonym '' Magnolia figo'' var. ''figo''
* ''Michelia hedyosperma'' Y.-W. Law, synonym of '' Magnolia hypolampra''
* ''Michelia hypolampra'' Dandy, synonym of '' Magnolia hypolampra''
* ''Michelia ingrata'' Chen & Yang, synonym of '' Magnolia fulva'' var. ''fulva''
* ''Michelia laevifolia'' Y.-W. Law & Y.-F. Wu, synonym of '' Magnolia laevifolia''
* ''Michelia longistyla'' Y.-W. Law & Y.-F. Wu, synonym of '' Magnolia foveolata''
* ''Michelia montana'' Blume, synonym of '' Magnolia montana''.
* ''Michelia nilagirica'' Zenker, synonym of '' Magnolia nilagirica''. Native to southern India.
* ''Michelia odora'' (W.Y. Chun) Noot. & Chen, synonym of '' Magnolia odora''
* ''Michelia punduana'' Hook.f. & Thomson, synonym of '' Magnolia punduana''. Native to Meghalaya subtropical forests.
* ''Michelia wilsonii'' Finet & Gagnep., synonym of '' Magnolia ernestii''
* ''Michelia skinneriana'' Dunn, synonym of '' Magnolia figo'' var. ''skinneriana''
* ''Michelia xanthantha'' C.Y. Wu ex Y.-W. Law & Y.-F. Wu, synonym of ''Magnolia xanthantha''
* ''Michelia yunnanensis'' Franch. ex Finet & Gapnep., synonym of '' Magnolia laevifolia''

References

External links

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q1145025

Magnoliales genera
Historically recognized angiosperm genera