Jade orchid, Lily tree
Magnolia denudata

Family: Magnoliaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub or tree. It grows 5-9 m high and spreads about 9 m wide. The leaves are large and leathery and blue-green. The flowers are white and have a smell. They are cup shaped. The flowers appear on bare wood before the leaves.

There are 128 Magnolia species. There are 15 species in tropical America. The flowers of most Magnolias are edible.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It cannot tolerate strong winds or heavy frosts. In China it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Melbourne Botanical garden. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), India, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, SE Asia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The flower buds are pickled after the calyx is removed and used to flavour rice. They are also used for scenting tea. The fresh petals of the partly opened flower are dipped in batter, deep fried and served while hot as a delicacy.

Edible parts

Buds, flowers

How it is grown

The plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Plants flower within 3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Haku-mokuren, Lili magnolia, Magnolia yulan, Yulan

Synonyms

Magnolia conspicua Salisb.; Magnolia yulan Desf.;