FAMILY: MAGNOLIACEAE

ALTERNATE COMMON NAME:

LEAVES: simple, alternate, persistent; obovate; dark, shiny green upper; rusty brown pubescent lower; coriaceous

FLOWER: perfect, showy white perianth parts up to 15 in number, flower 5-8” in diameter when open, fragrant; flowering over an extended period in spring and early summer; southern magnolia is the official state flower of Louisiana

FRUIT: cone-like aggregate of follicles; seeds are bright red

TWIGS: stout, rusty red, tomentose; stipule scars encircle twigs at nodes (characteristic of Magnoliaceae); leaf scars shield shaped; pith diaphragmed

BARK: light brown to gray brown, smooth, with some light furrowing and scaly plates on larger trees

FORM: large tree, spreading crown

HABITAT: rich mesic forests

WETLAND DESIGNATION: Facultative (FAC): Occurs in wetlands or non-wetlands of the Atlantic and Gulf Coast Plain Region

RANGE: southeastern US coastal plain  [MAP]

USES: woody is heavy but not durable, used for furniture, doors, veneer, millwork (crown molding, window casing, chair rails, wood paneling); common ornamental

WILDLIFE: squirrels and several bird species eat seeds

Best Recognition Features:

1. llarge evergreen, thick leathery leaves
2. showy fragrant white flower to 8” across
3. distinctive cone-like aggregate of follicles with red seeds

5 magnolias are native to Louisiana; only southern magnolia and cucumber magnolia are extensively logged

NOTE: sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) is the only other native evergreen magnolia; it has smaller flowers, and its elliptic leaves are silvery below

:: Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) is the State Flower of Louisiana ::