Magnolias are spreading, evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs, characterised by large fragrant flowers which may be bowl-shaped or star-shaped, in shades of white, pink, purple, green or yellow. In deciduous species the blooms often appear before the leaves, in spring. Cone-like fruits are often produced in autumn.
magnolia, (genus Magnolia), genus of about 225 species of trees and shrubs of the family Magnoliaceae native to North and South America, the Himalayas, and East Asia. They are valued for their large and fragrant white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers and frequently handsome leaves and unusual fruits. Some are important garden ornamentals; others are local timber sources.
Physical description
Magnolia plants can be evergreen or deciduous and bear alternate smooth-margined leaves. The flowers, usually cuplike and fragrant, are located at the branch tips and have three sepals, six to 12 petals arranged in two to four series, and many spirally arranged stamens. The numerous simple ovaries in the centre later form a conelike fruit known as an aggregate of follicles. Each follicle of the fruit bears a single seed. The seeds, usually reddish, often hang pendulously by slender threads.
Major species
Some of the more popular species, native to North America and relatively hardy and deciduous trees unless otherwise noted, are: laurel, also called southern magnolia or sweet bay (Magnolia grandiflora), a 31-metre (102-foot) evergreen with thick shining leaves; sweet bay (M. virginiana), 19 metres (62 feet) tall with leathery leaves; big-leaf magnolia (M. macrophylla), 15 metres (50 feet) tall with purple-based blooms; umbrella tree (M. tripetala), 12 metres (40 feet) tall with leaves 60 cm (2 feet) long that are sometimes used as rain shields; cucumber tree (M. acuminata), a 30-metre (100-foot) tree with cucumber-shaped rosy fruits; and Thompson’s magnolia (M. ×thompsoniana), a hybrid between the umbrella tree and the laurel magnolia with fragrant blooms that have a spicy odour.
Well-known Asian species of the genus Magnolia include lily magnolia (M. liliiflora), a 4-metre (13-foot) shrubby tree that has purple blossoms with white interiors and brownish fruits; yulan magnolia (M. denudata), a 60-metre (nearly 200-foot) tree; saucer magnolia (M. ×soulangeana), a gray-barked hybrid between the lily magnolia and the yulan magnolia, which has flowers that may be white, pink, crimson, or purplish; Oyama magnolia (M. sieboldii), a 9-metre (30-foot) tree with crimson fruits; and star magnolia (M. stellata), of similar height with spidery flowers.
Interesting Magnolia tree Facts:
Size of magnolia tree depends on the species. Smaller species are only 15 feet tall. Larger species can grow 80 feet in height. Magnolia has pyramidal crown that can reach 30 to 50 feet in diameter.
Magnolia has dark green, oval shaped leaves that are covered with layer of wax. Leaves are evergreen and they are alternately arranged on the branches. Leaves have leathery texture and entire margin.
Magnolia has brown or grey bark that is smooth when the plant is young. As the plant gets older, bark turns from smooth into scaly.
Magnolia produces 1 ½ to 3 inches wide flower that consists of up to 18 leathery tepals (fused petals and sepals). Flower contains both male and female reproductive organs (monoecious plant).
Color of the flower depends on the species and it can be white, yellow, pinkish, purple and green.
Flower of magnolia has pleasant scent that resembles the smell of tropical fruit.
Magnolia blooms from April to June. First flowers develop seven years after planting.
Bees are main pollinators of magnolia.
Magnolias are ancient plants. They exist on the planet at least 95 million years. Since they appeared before bees, magnolias slowly changed their flowers to become more attractive to bees (to ensure successful pollination).
Magnolias do not produce nectar. Instead, they have pollen enriched with proteins which bees use as food. Flowers release sugary scent which attracts pollinators.
Magnolia produces cone-like brownish fruit that can reach 2 to 10 inches in length. Kidney-shaped seed can be red, orange or pink in color. Seed of magnolia is favorite food of many birds.
Magnolia is resistant to most pests and diseases. Some species are prone to fungal infections. Larvae of certain insects eat different parts of magnolia tree.
Bark and flowers of magnolia are used in traditional Asian medicine. Leaves of magnolia are used for wrapping of food in Asia.
Wood of magnolia is used for the production of pallets and furniture.
Magnolia can live more than 100 years.
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