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Magnolia_grandiflora - L.

Common Name Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Large-flowered Magnolia, Southern Magnolia
Family Magnoliaceae
USDA hardiness 6-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hammocks, sand dunes, buffs and sandy bottoms[72]. Rich moist soils[227]. Always found in lowland areas, never above 105 metres altitude[229]
Range South-eastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Magnolia_grandiflora Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Large-flowered Magnolia, Southern  Magnolia


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Magnolia_grandiflora Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Large-flowered Magnolia, Southern  Magnolia
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Magnolia_grandiflora is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Beetles. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. foetida. M. virginiana foetida.

Habitats

Edible Uses

The flowers are pickled in some parts of England and are considered to have an exquisite flavour[2, 183]. They are also said to be used as a spice and a condiment[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The bark is diaphoretic, stimulant, tonic[46, 61, 240]. It is used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatism[240]. A decoction has been used as a wash and a bath for prickly heat itching[257]. The decoction has also been used as a wash for sores and as a steam bath for treating dropsy[257]. An alcoholic extract of the plant reduces the blood pressure, produces a slight acceleration in respiration but has no action on the heart[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A fairly wind-tolerant tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[200]. An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[240]. Wood - hard and fairly heavy, but weak and not durable[227]. White when first cut, it turns brown on exposure to air[229]. It is used in limited amounts for fuel, baskets, crates, woodenware and furniture[82, 227].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Espalier, Firewood, Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Screen, Seashore, Specimen, Street tree. Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture[1]. Tolerates moderately limey soils[200, 202] so long as they are deep and rich in humus[188]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[200]. Another part of the same book says that this species is fairly wind-resistant[200]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[219]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[200]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[182]. A very ornamental plant[1], a number of named forms have been developed[200]. The flowers are very large (up to 25cm across) and have a delicious and very powerful scent[202, 245]. This is perhaps the most strongly scented flower in the world[245]. They can be produced in trees as young as 10 years old[229]. The form 'Exmouth Variety' (also known as elliptica) produces its flowers when younger than the species, these flowers have a refreshing lemon scent[245]. There is no main flush of flowering, instead the flowers open intermittently throughout the summer[K]. Plants do not normally need pruning, any cutting out of dead wood etc is best carried out in July[219]. Special Features: Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame[200]. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Layering in early spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Magnolia grandifloraSouthern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Large-flowered Magnolia, Southern MagnoliaTree10.0 6-10 MLMHSNM223

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

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Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

jane camellia sarkar   Tue Aug 8 2006

I smelt this plant last saturday and thought how beatutiful and orange blossom like it was. I would like to know how to obtain the esential oil and other parts for eating and spicing if available.

   Aug 5 2011 12:00AM

I have had my plant for 10 years, although I bought it as a well established shrub. It flowered almost immediately and has done regularly. Last year flowers were sparse,but the plant grew and is now over 3m tall. It has come through the past winter relatively un scathed, but it started to shed leaves of a yellow to brown nature in abundance. However new growth has appeared during the year followed by flowers. However these turn brown within a day. I have recently had a garden upheaval, but the plant has remained in place other than having a layer of new top soil spread over the surface. It is watered regularly as the corner it is in dries out quickly. Any advice on what I could or should not be doing would be greatfully received.

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