Magnolia grandiflora

southernmagnoliafull
(Photo by Brittany Tatum)

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Taxonomy (1,2)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot (not eudicot)
Family: Magnoliaceae
Common name: Southern Magnolia

General Information (1,2)

Region of Origin: Southeast United States
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Growth Habit: Tree

  • Size: 60-90 feet
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: Spring to summer
  • Fruiting: Autumn

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (2)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Obovate, oblong, elliptic
  • Other: 5-10 inches, pubescent, coriaceous

southernmagnolialeaf
(Photo by Brittany Tatum)

Stem/Bark (2)

  • Color: Gray
  • Texture: Smooth to scaly

southernmagnoliabark
(Photo by Brittany Tatum)

Flower (2)

  • Perfect/Imperfect: Perfect
  • Color: Creamy white
  • Size: 8-12 inches
  • Other: Fragrant

Fruit (2)

  • Fruit type: Aggregate of follicles
  • Size: 3-5 inches

magnoliafruit
(Photo by Jessica Bartek)

Horticultural Information (1,2)

  • Light: Full sun to partial shade
  • pH: Acidic
  • Landscape Uses: Street tree, freestanding, framing tree, shade tree

Interesting Facts (1,2)

  • It is essentially problem free of diseases and insects.
  • It could take as long as 15 to 20 years for trees to flower.

References

1) Christman, S. Magnolia grandiflora.1997. Floridata. http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/magno_g.cfm.
2) Dirr, M. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 4th Ed.  1975. Stipes Publishing Company. 

Prepared by Brittany Tatum as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek