Object Details
Description
The magnolia family is from the early days of angiosperm (flowering plant) evolution. If we compare it to another flowering tree, we will immediately see how different the magnolia’s cone-like fruits are, and how its flowers grow in spirals rather than the typical whorl. This old plant is still going strong, and the tree’s beauty means humans have planted it far and wide. Magnolia grandiflora, or the southern magnolia, in particular is found nearly everywhere in the southeastern US. A striking tree, everything about the southern magnolia is large; its glossy, evergreen leaves, its hand-sized, cream colored flowers, and its overall height. This tree brings beauty to humid, southern summers.
Hardiness
0 - 30 F
Bloom Time
May to June
Provenance
Uncertain
Accession Number
2011-0500A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Evergreen tree
Average Height
60-80'
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown
Bloom Characteristics
Large white flowers typically have six petals. 8-12" diameter.
Foliage Characteristics
Simple, alternate, leathery ovate leaves. Dark, shiny green above, and light green to brown beneath. It has fuzz on the underside of the leaves. Up to 10" long.
Fruit Characteristics
Cone-like clusters which turn red and then split to reveal red shiny seeds suspended on fine threads. Mature in late summer to early fall. 3-5" long.
Structure
Pyramidal to rounded
Range
SE USA to Texas
Habitat
Moist woodlands, hardwood hammocks, bottomlands, and outwashes from uplands
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
On Display
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Common Name
Southern magnolia
bull bay
laurel magnolia
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Magnolianae
Order
Magnoliales
Family
Magnoliaceae
Genus
Magnolia
Species
grandiflora
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-0500A