<p>The Magnolia grandiflora, also known as ‘tree lotus,’ is in full bloom on the Indian Institute of Science campus.</p>.<p>It begins flowering through July and September, and reaches its peak in February and March. </p>.<p>While there are two magnolia grandiflora trees near the J N Tata statue, the other is located in Lalbagh, also on the campus. </p>.<p>Sharath Ahuja, retired technical officer, IISc, who has been photographing the trees for a while, says the saplings were planted by Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the IISc campus on February 21, 1961. The trees are now 61 years old.</p>.<p>“This medium-sized evergreen tree is native to the South Eastern parts (Virginia, Central Florida and Texas) of the United States. It is popularly known as the southern magnolia,” he says. </p>.<p>The genus is named Magnolia in honour of Pierre Magnol, a French botanist, with grandiflora derived from the Latin words grandis for ‘big’ and ‘flor’ for flower. Interestingly, the Hindi name is hima champa and it is called dodda-bili-sampige in Kannada.</p>.<p>Magnolia grows in any soil condition, says Dr K Sankara Rao, retired scientist, IISc, and author of the book, ‘IISc a Botanist’s Delight’.</p>.<p>He began studying the Magnolia tree as a hobby. “It is an ornamental tree with big, showy flowers that give out a lemony scent. It is a slow-growing tree. This is one among the very few trees brought in from overseas.” </p>
<p>The Magnolia grandiflora, also known as ‘tree lotus,’ is in full bloom on the Indian Institute of Science campus.</p>.<p>It begins flowering through July and September, and reaches its peak in February and March. </p>.<p>While there are two magnolia grandiflora trees near the J N Tata statue, the other is located in Lalbagh, also on the campus. </p>.<p>Sharath Ahuja, retired technical officer, IISc, who has been photographing the trees for a while, says the saplings were planted by Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the IISc campus on February 21, 1961. The trees are now 61 years old.</p>.<p>“This medium-sized evergreen tree is native to the South Eastern parts (Virginia, Central Florida and Texas) of the United States. It is popularly known as the southern magnolia,” he says. </p>.<p>The genus is named Magnolia in honour of Pierre Magnol, a French botanist, with grandiflora derived from the Latin words grandis for ‘big’ and ‘flor’ for flower. Interestingly, the Hindi name is hima champa and it is called dodda-bili-sampige in Kannada.</p>.<p>Magnolia grows in any soil condition, says Dr K Sankara Rao, retired scientist, IISc, and author of the book, ‘IISc a Botanist’s Delight’.</p>.<p>He began studying the Magnolia tree as a hobby. “It is an ornamental tree with big, showy flowers that give out a lemony scent. It is a slow-growing tree. This is one among the very few trees brought in from overseas.” </p>