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
FlorentinebotanistPietro Antonio Micheli (1679–1737). They grow to the height of 10–45 metres
Recent changes in classification
Morphological data[2] and molecular data[3][4] 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.
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 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.
^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. (eds.). Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Family Magnoliaceae. Beijing:
Science Press. pp. 14–25.
^Azuma, Hiroshi; Thien, Leonard B; Kawano, Shoichi (September 1999). "Molecular Phylogeny of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) Inferred from cpDNA Sequences and Evolutionary Divergence of the Floral Scents". Journal of Plant Research. 112 (3): 291–306.
doi:
10.1007/PL00013885.
S2CID206862607.
^Kim, S; Park, CW; Kim, YD; Suh, Y (April 2001). "Phylogenetic relationships in family Magnoliaceae inferred from ndhF sequences". American Journal of Botany. 88 (4): 717–28.
doi:
10.2307/2657073.
JSTOR2657073.
PMID11302859.