MAGNOLIA

The magnolia tree is one of the most ancient flowering trees known to mankind. They are found abundantly in Central America, North America and West Indies.

The most popular kind of magnolia tree found in North America, the Southern Magnolia, can grow up to 50 feet tall.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Magnoliales

Family

Magnoliaceae

Genus

Magnolia

The Magnolia flowers may be white, pink or purple. Magnolia flowers size ranges from 3-12 inch in diameter. Some species of Magnolias have strap-shaped petals depending on the species. Magnolias seeds may remain dormant for many years (15-20 years). Magnolia flowers are protogynous, appearing with or before leaves. The tepals of Magnolias are 9-15. Stamens are present on elongate torus, early deciduous; filaments white or purple, very short; anthers introrse or latrorse.

Facts About Magnolia

• The magnolia is the official state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana. Mississippi's nickname is the "Magnolia State." Houston is often called "The Magnolia City" due to the numerous magnolias that grow along Buffalo Bayou.
• The plant's blossoms lack real petals and sepals; they are made up of petal-like tepals.
• Actually Magnolia flowers do not yield true nectar; instead of they give pollen in big quantities.
• Magnolia produces cone-like fruits coming in reddish-brown; they contain red seeds in the shape of kidney. The seeds mature in the mid-end of the autumn.
• The bark, and flower buds, of magnolia from Magnolia officinalis has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
• They have demonstrated anti-anxiety and anti-angiogenic properties.
• In parts of Japan, the leaves of magnolia obovata are used for wrapping food and as cooking dishes

Growing Magnolias

• Since there are a lot of different types of magnolias, growing them depends on the kind of climate that you live in.
• Magnolias need a lot of space to grow in. They are mostly half as wide as their height.
• These trees usually produce multiple branches, but can be grown as a single-trunk tree (mostly for aesthetic purposes) by trimming off the branches while the tree is still young.

Caring for Magnolias

• Apply fertilizer during the first three growing seasons.
• Measure an area three times the canopy spread, then broadcast one pound 2 cups of fertilizer per 100 square feet in March, May, July and September.
• By the fourth growing season, reduce the fertilizer to once or twice a year.
• Shape the plant intermittently into a pyramidal shape.
• In windy times, the plant should be given the help of guy wires.