Magnoliaceae -- the magnolia family (7-12, 220; Widespread tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate, especially in the N. Hemisphere)
Habit trees and shrubs with ethereal oil cells
Leaves alternate; simple, entire (rarely lobed); large deciduous sheathing stipules
Inflorescences solitary
Perianth tepals (when sepals and petals are often indistinguishable from one another, common in the Magnoliidae) in 3s or several whorls of 3s, distinct, outermost sometimes sepaloid.
Androecium many stamens, distinct, laminar
Gynoecium many apocarpous carpels on large convex receptacle; superior
Fruit= follicles or samaras
(Floral formula: T 3- ? A ? G ? )