Magnolia balansae

Family: Magnoliaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 20 m tall. The trunk is 60 cm across. The trunk is straight. The bark is greyish brown. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are broadly oval and 10-20 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. There are silvery hairs underneath. The flowers are in the axils of leaves and have a scent. The fruit is compound with many separate follicles. These are 30-45 mm long by 15-18 mm wide. They split by 2 valves when ripe. There are 1-5 seeds in each follicle. The seeds are red when mature.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows below 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Gioi, Gioi ba, Gioi long

Synonyms

Michelia balansae Dandy; Michelia baviensis Finet & Gagnep.; Michelia tonkinensis A. Chev.;