Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora

Family: Magnoliaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It is a broad cone shape. It grows 25 m high. The trunk is 60-90 cm across. The bark is dark grey and smooth. It becomes furrowed and scaly. The leaves are deep glossy green. They are 13-20 cm long by 5-7.5 cm wide. They are stiff and leathery. They are often a rusty furry colour underneath. The flowers are large and creamy white. They are 15-20 cm wide. They are saucer shaped. They have a scent. The fruit are woody and have bright red seeds. Many cultivated varieties exist.

It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It suits warm temperate and subtropical regions. It grows naturally on river banks and moist coastal soils in SE USA. It does best in part shade. It can tolerate city pollution. It will grow up to 2,000 m in the Himalayas. It suits hardiness zones 6-9. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, England, Europe, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, North America (country/location of origin), Pakistan, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Spain, Tasmania, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers are pickled. They are also used as a spice and a condiment. They can be used to make a drink.

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings or by air-layering or grafting.

Its other names

Local names

Bull bay, Evergreen Magnolia, Himchampa, Loblolly, Pohon cempaka lemona, Ta-daing-hmwe

Synonyms

Magnolia angustifolia Millais; and others