Magnolia Taxonomy
The taxonomy of genus Magnolia
The classification of Magnolia by taxonomists and botanists has been ongoing since 1731 and continues today.
This page will attempt to cover the major milestones in this process but do bear in mind that terminology, structure and nomenclature have changed over these centuries and so names presented in historical texts may not be familiar. All the more reason to research and learn: magnolias haven’t changed, it’s only the way we look at them that has!
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The Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands Volumes 1 & 2* Containing the Figures of Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Insects, and Plants: Particularly, the Forest-Trees, Shrubs, and other Plants, not hitherto described or very incorrectly figured by Authors.
By Mark CatesbyFRS
1731
These digital editions courtesy of Biodiversity Heritage Library/Dumbarton Oaks
*Volume 1 features the first description of Magnolia virginiana which forms the basis of the 1853 formal description by Carl Linnaeus and establishes Magnolia as a genus in his Species Plantarum (see page 134 of the file).
Volume 2 features Magnolia grandiflora (see page 192 of the file),M. tripetala (see page 248) and M. acuminata (see page 407) although the flower is discounted as being that of another species.
The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands Mark Catesby 1731 Volume I
The natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands Mark Catesby 1731 Volume II
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Horti Elthamensis Volume 2*
By Johann Jacob Dillenius
1732
This digital edition courtesy of Biblioteca Digital Real Jardin Botanico
*This publication describes and illustrates the wealth of rare and largely undescribed plants growing in the Eltham garden of James and William Sherard. Among them is Magnolia virginiana (See pages 6-8 of the file).
Horti Elthamensis Volume 2
Hortus Cliffortianus*
By Carl Linnaeus
1737
This digital edition courtesy of Biodiversity Heritage Library
*This publication describes the collection of plants, both living and in the herbarium at de Hartecamp, George Clifford’s garden in Holland. Among them is Magnolia virginiana(See page 282 of the file). Linnaeus goes on to publish Species Plantarum using the systematic approach deployed here.
Hortus Cliffortianus
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The North American Sylva Volume 2* or a Description of the Forest Trees of the United States, Canada and Nova Scotia
By F. Andrew Michaux
1853
This digital edition courtesy of Smithsonian Institution
*This publication features details of several more American magnolias (see pages 10-40 of the file).
The North American Sylva Volume 2
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Illustrations of Himalayan Plants* chiefly selected from drawings made for the late J. F. Cathcart Esquire of the Bengal Civil Service. the descriptions and analyses by J. D. Hooker M.D F.R.S the plates executed by W. H. Fitch.
By Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker FRS
1855
This digital edition courtesy of Oak Spring Garden Library
*This publication features illustrations and descriptions of Magnolia campbelli, Talauma (now Magnolia) hodgsoni and Michelia (now Magnolia) cathcarti based upon Joseph Hooker’s observations. The list of subscribers is well worth reading as is careful study of the illustration on the title page (explained on the following page of the book).
Illustrations of Himalayan Plants
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Magnolia article from Flora and Sylva Volume 1* A monthly review for lovers of garden, woodland, tree or flower; new and rare plants, trees, shrubs, and fruits; the garden beautiful, home woods, and home landscape (Editor William Robinson FLS)
By George Nicholson FLS, VMH
1903
This digital edition courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Libraries
*This article features one of the first properly taxonomically-arranged descriptions of the then-known species in genus Magnolia
Flora and Sylva Volume 1
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Magnolias
By John Guille Millais
1927
Published by Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd, London
This digital edition scanned from an original copy.*
* Please note that the apparently random page sizes throughout the pdf are a true representation of the original copy scanned and mostly caused by the production of the book, especially the insertion of images which are a mixture of collotype and halftone plates. However, we feel that the original copy has much more character than the later limited edition facsimile and that the ‘labour of love’ to produce this copy has been worthwhile.
Magnolias by J G Millais
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