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several extinct and two living species, belonging to the Natural order Magnoliaceæ, with deciduous, alternate, stalked, saddle-shaped, or lyrate leaves. Flowers: solitary, terminal, stalked, regular, enclosed in bud in a 2-valved spathe, which falls off when the flower opens. Floral receptacle: cylindro-conic, bearing from below upwards 3 imbricated petaloid sepals, 6 petals imbricated in two rows, numerous stamens, with anthers dehiscing outwardly by longitudinal slits, and a spindle-shaped column of numerous densely imbricated independent carpels. Each carpel is a -celled ovary, containing 2 ovules, and terminating in a style with stigmatic papillae at its apex. Fruit: a cone of samaræ, falling off the receptacle when ripe, each containing i or 2 seeds.

Liriodendron appeared in the Cretaceous epoch, and numerous fossil species have been found in North America and Europe in the Tertiary period. Of the two now living, one occurs in the eastern half of the United States and Canada, the other is a native of Central China.