Magnolia macrophylla
This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2017) |
Bigleaf magnolia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Magnoliales |
Family: | Magnoliaceae |
Genus: | Magnolia |
Subgenus: | |
Section: | |
Species: | M. macrophylla
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Binomial name | |
Magnolia macrophylla | |
Natural range |
Magnolia macrophylla, the bigleaf magnolia, is a deciduous magnolia native to the southeastern United States and eastern Mexico. This species boasts the largest simple leaf and single flower of any native plant in North America.
Classification[]
Magnolia macrophylla has three subspecies; some botanists treat these plants as three separate species:
- Magnolia macrophylla subsp. macrophylla. Bigleaf magnolia. Southeastern United States. Secure. Tree to 20 m; leaves 50–90 cm long, fruit 4–10 cm long with more than 50 carpels.
- Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei (Wetherby) Spongberg. Ashe magnolia. Northwest Florida. Shrub or small tree to 12 m; leaves 25–60 cm long, fruit 4–5 cm long with less than 50 carpels. Considered by some botanists to be a distinct species, Magnolia ashei.
- Magnolia macrophylla subsp. dealbata (Zuccarini) J. D. Tobe. Mexican bigleaf magnolia or Cloudforest magnolia. Mexico (Hidalgo to Oaxaca and Veracruz, in cloud forests). Tree to 20 m; leaves 30–60 cm long, fruit 8–15 cm long with more than 70 carpels. Considered by some botanists to be a distinct species, Magnolia dealbata.
Description[]
Bigleaf magnolia is medium-sized understory tree 15–20 m tall, though some individuals over 27m tall (and over 100 cm circumference)[2] have been documented by the Eastern Native Tree Society. This species is distinguished from other magnolias by the large leaf size, 25–80 cm long and 11–30 cm broad. The tree's branches often bend under the weight of this heavy foliage.
Bee killer[]
At the Arnold Arboretum, dead bees have been observed inside Bigleaf magnolia flowers. [3]
Distribution and habitat[]
Bigleaf magnolia is found in rich mesic woods; any disturbance that lets more light reach the ground is beneficial to the establishment of bigleaf magnolia, but despite its relatively fast growth-rate when stimulated by more light, other understory and canopy trees/seedlings are usually able to outgrow and out-compete it. This suits the plant just fine as it is tolerant of low light levels; it does not need full sun to survive once established (however, it does not tolerate full shade). Natural regeneration is quite limited due to the scarcity of mature, seed-bearing plants and the fact that this tree's population mostly consists of widely scattered individuals. In addition, this species is plagued by poor seed set (most likely from limiting factors mentioned above) and low seed viability, a trait shared by its cousin and frequent associate in the wild in Appalachia, the Fraser magnolia.
The Ashe magnolia is a rare shrub, exceptionally a small tree, that is found only along the bluffs and ravines adjacent to the Apalachicola River in Florida, along with several other rare plants unique to the area, such as Florida Yew and Florida torreya. It resembles the typical subsp. macrophylla, but has shorter, broader leaves, smaller flowers, and longer fruits. The 6-to-8-inch-diameter (150 to 200 mm) flowers bloom in late spring, and are white with rose-purple blotches on the inner tepals. The fruit is eaten by wildlife, but because of the plant's scarceness, it does not form a significant portion of any creature's diet.
In the southeastern United States, especially Alabama and surrounding areas, Magnolia macrophylla is sometimes called the "cowcumber magnolia," in contrast with the much smaller-leaved cucumber-tree magnolia, M. acuminata.
Threats[]
Collection, both legal and illegal, may have an adverse impact on this tree's population due to low population density, and high collection pressure can extirpate this species locally. Bigleaf magnolia is listed as threatened in North Carolina and endangered in Arkansas and Ohio. The Florida Department of Agriculture lists the Ashe magnolia as endangered, due to its small population and restricted range. The Mexican bigleaf magnolia is also endangered, by loss of habitat.[4][circular reference]
Cultivation[]
Bigleaf magnolia is often short-lived under cultivation unless its rather demanding requirements are met. This tree likes loose, undisturbed rich mesic soil (or mulch and compost substitutes) in full sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil and a low pH.[5] This tree will likely succeed in sites that closely mimic its natural habitat and where it is protected from strong wind that can tatter its large foliage. It can be grown farther north than its southerly range suggests, but needs watering during extended dry periods. This plant is generally problem-free.
Gallery[]
A single large leaf
A sapling
Naturalized tree
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei open flower
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei flower detail
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei mature fruit
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla bud break
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla open flower
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla mature fruit
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla 1989 accession (#960-89*A), Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla leaves in fall
References[]
- ^ Global Tree Specialist Group (2014). "Magnolia macrophylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T62595A3116514. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T62595A3116514.en. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ See thread on an ENTS trip report in Roswell, GA here: http://www.ents-bbs.org/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=2133
- ^ WILLIAM FRIEDMAN (March 2021). "Seeing Life—Re-engaging with nature". Harvard Magazine. Retrieved February 25, 2021. Cite journal requires
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(help) - ^ es:Magnolia macrophylla
- ^ Hastings, Don (2001). Trees for the South. Atlanta, Georgia: Longstreet Press. p. 109. ISBN 1-56352-596-8.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Magnolia macrophylla. |
- Magnolia macrophylla images at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Plant Image Database
- Hetman, Jon. "Magnolia macrophylla". Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 13 May, 2019. Accessed 20 April 2020.
- Friedman, William (Ned)."Killer magnolias".Posts from the Collections, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 20 July 2019. Accessed 20 April 2020.
- An ecological study of Magnolia macrophylla in Gaston County, NC
- Magnolia macrophylla images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
- Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida Online: Magnolia ashei
- Magnolia macrophylla Distribution Map
- Interactive Distribution Map of Magnolia macrophylla
- [1]
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Magnolia
- Endangered flora of the United States
- Trees of Northeastern Mexico
- Trees of the Southeastern United States
- Garden plants of North America
- Ornamental trees