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Michelia

(Genus)

Overview

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Michelia is a 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 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.

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).

Recent Changes in Classification

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Morphological data[1] and molecular data[2][3] recently showed that the genus Michelia is very closely re lated 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.

michelia Species

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Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Michelia is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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  1. ^ 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 hello International Symposium on the Family Magnoliaceae: 14-25, Science Press, Beijing
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ Kim, S. et al. (2001), Phylogenetic relationships in family Magnoliaceae inferred from ndhF sequences. American Journal of Botany. 88(4): 717-728
  4. ^ a b c Li, J. (1997). "Some notes on Magnoliaceae from China". Acta Botanica Yunnanica (Kunming) 19 (2): 131–138. 
  5. ^ a b c d < a href="#cite_ref-Chen_Noot_4-4">e f g h Chen, B.L. & H.P. Nooteboom (1993). "Notes on Magnoliaceae III, The Magnoliaceae of China". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis, MO) 80 (4): 999–1104. doi:10.2307/2399942. 
  6. ^ Gagnepain, F. (1939). "Magnoliacées nouvelles ou litigieuses". Notu lae Systematicae, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris) 8 (1): 63–65. 
  7. ^ Baillon, H.E. (1866). "Mémoire sur la famille des Magnoliacées". Adansonia; recueil periodique d'observations botaniques (Paris) 7: 1–16, 65–69. 
  8. ^ Xia, N.H. & Y.F. Deng (2002). "Notes on Magnoliaceae". Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany (Guangzhou) 10 (2): 128–132. 
  9. ^ a b Sima, Y.-K. (2001). "Some Notes on Magnolia Subgenus Michelia from China". Yunnan Forestry Science and Technology (Kunming) 2: 29–35. 

Sources

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  • The distribution map on the Distribution tab comes from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and is used with permission.
  • Photographs on this page are copyrighted by individual photographers, and individual copyrights apply.
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Last Revised: September 22, 2009
2009/09/22 20:08:15