Lovely pictures, Bindu ji. I think it's *Magnolia campbellii*. Some extracts from Wikipedia link (for pictures/ more details, pl. click on the link):
*Campbell's Magnolia* (*Magnolia campbellii*) is a species of *Magnolia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia> * that grows in sheltered valleys in the Himalaya<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalaya>from eastern Nepal <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal>, Sikkim<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikkim>and Assam <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam> east to southwestern China<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China>(southern Xizang <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xizang>, Yunnan<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnan>, southern Sichuan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan>) and south to northern Myanmar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar>. It is a medium-sized to large deciduous<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deciduous> tree <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree> growing to 30 m, rarely to 45 m, tall, with smooth grey bark. The leaves <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf>are 10-23 cm (rarely to 33 cm) long and 4.5-10 cm (rarely to 14 cm) broad, fuzzy underneath and with an acute apex. The flowers<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower>are very large, 15-25 cm (rarely 35 cm) diameter, with 12-16 tepals <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepal>, which vary from white to dark pink. They appear very early, before the leaves, opening from late winter to early spring. After opening, the innermost tepals remain erect while the others spread widely. This arrangement may shelter the stamens<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamen>and stigmas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpel> from rain, snow, and other harsh environmental <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environment>conditions common during their very early flowering time period. There are two varieties <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_(biology)>: - *Magnolia campbellii* var. *campbellii*. Western part of the species' range, in the Himalaya. Shoots and flower stalks thinly hairy. - *Magnolia campbellii* var. *mollicomata*. Eastern part of the species' range, in Yunnan and surrounding areas. Shoots more densely hairy, flower stalks thickly felted. It is grown as an ornamental tree<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornamental_tree>for its spectacular flowers, though successful flowering is limited to mild areas with no late spring frosts; var. *mollicomata* flowers slightly later and is less likely to have its flowers frost-damaged. Young trees take a long time to reach flowering age and need deep, moist soil<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil>and a mild, sheltered site. Several cultivars <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultivar> have been named, including 'Alba' (white flowers), 'Charles Raffil' (bright purple-pink flowers; starts flowering on younger trees), and 'Strybing White' (white flowers). A number of hybrids <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_(biology)> with other Magnolias have also been developed. 2009/4/4 bindu kapadia <[email protected]> > On the Lava ,Neora trails > REgards, > Bindu > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
