Magnolia Tree Information
Magnolia trees are found within the genus Magnolia, which contains approximately 80 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. The genus Magnolia is found within the family Magnoliaceae; other members of this family include the genera Liriodendron and Michelia. Magnolias are best recognized as popular, showy, ornamental trees but have been used for centuries as medicinal plants and as a source of wood for products. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The genus was named in the eighteenth century after Pierre Magnol, a French professor of botany and medicine. Magnolias are considered to be some of the most primitive flowering plants, with fossil remains dating back tens of millions of years. Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) and Japanese magnolia (Magnolia stellata) have been cultivated for centuries within their natural ranges.
Significance
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The bark and flowers of some magnolias have been used medicinally for centuries. Magnolia fruit are wildlife food sources, and some species are sources of wood products for lumber, veneer and furniture. Magnolias are most recognized as popular ornamental trees because of their large foliage and large showy flowers. According to the University of Florida's IFAS Extension Program, the southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, is one of the most widely planted evergreen trees in the world.
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Identification
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Although specific characteristics will vary according to species in the genus Magnolia, they share several common features. Magnolias have alternately arranged, simple leaves. The leaves are not lobed and are usually longer than wide. The flowers are usually large and solitary with male and female flowers together. Magnolias have six to many tepals (flower parts indistinguishable as petals or sepals). Magnolia fruit are conelike aggregations of follicles (dry fruit opening on one side).
Geography
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Trees in the genus Magnolia are naturally distributed in southeastern Asia and eastern North America, south to the part of South America north of the equator. Most species of Magnolia are found in eastern Asia. No species of Magnoliaceae is native to Europe. Another genus of the Magnoliaceae is Liriodendron, of which two species exist. Liriodendron tulipifera (yellow poplar/tulip poplar) is found in the eastern United States, and L. chinensis is found in southeastern Asia. Liriodendron shows a similar distributional pattern as the genus Magnolia.
Expert Insight
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Magnolias, which are sometimes called bay trees, are usually pollinated by beetles and bees, and the seed are wind- and bird-dispersed. The worldwide popularity of magnolias began after the introduction of the eastern United States native Magnolia virginiana to Europe in 1688. Asian species of Magnolia were introduced to Europe during the 18th century.
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