bigleaf magnolia
Magnolia macrophylla
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Form
bigleaf magnolia form
Habitat
bigleaf magnolia habitat bigleaf magnolia habitat
Leaves
bigleaf magnolia leaves bigleaf magnolia leaves
Twigs
Bark
bigleaf magnolia bark bigleaf magnolia bark
Flowers
Fruit
  • FAMILY: MAGNOLIACEAE
  • ALTERNATE COMMON NAME: cowcumber
  • LEAVES: alternate, simple, deciduous; 12 to 30 inches; ovate, cordate base, silvery below; largest simple leaf in a native tree
  • FLOWER: white, 10 to 15 inch diameter; April to May
  • FRUIT: ovoid, 3-5 inch, purplish and hairy
  • TWIGS: stout, brittle, densely tomentose when young; 1.75 to 2 inch bud with white hairs; large diaphragmed pith
  • BARK: smooth gray
  • FORM: small tree, < 50 ft, <10 inch dbh; spreading tropical-looking crown; stump sprouts
  • HABITAT: moist well drained, protected sites
  • RANGE: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and southern Appalachian Mountains
  • USES: ornamental, often rare due to local collection, poor seed set, and low seed viability; wood is not used
    • Best Recognition Features:
    1. very large leaves with cordate base
    2. large brittle twigs
    3. smooth, light gray bark
    LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources

    School of Renewable Natural Reources    		 Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours
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