Description

Southern magnolia is a flowering, woody evergreen tree, with a straight, light brown/gray-brown trunk with scales that are pressed close together. It has a conical crown that grows approximately 50-90 feet tall and 2-4 feet in diameter; and it may live 80-120 years (Maisenhelder, 1970). Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is similar in appearance, but has a smaller circumference and shorter height. Southern magnolia has moderately stout twigs that have brown wooly hairs. The 5-8 in (13-20 cm) long, 2-3 in (5-8 cm) leaves are simple, alternate, and oval to elliptical. They are very thick and leathery, without teeth, and have a smooth, shiny surface above and a fuzzy, rusty color below. The tree flowers from late spring to fall; producing 6-8 in (15-20 cm) wide fragrant, showy, white, monoecious flowers (having male and female reproductive organs on same plant) on stout, hairy stalks. The flowers may have 6-15 petals. The seeds of the fruit are bright red in color.

Uses

Timber/wood:  Southern magnolia is the hardest and heaviest of the magnolia species most commonly harvested in the US. Its wood is hard, heavy, even textured, and similar to yellow poplar in color and properties. It is used for furniture, cabinets, paneling, veneer, boxes, and crates (Maisenhelder, 1970; Hodges et al., 2010).

Urban forestry/ornamental/shade:  Southern magnolia is a very popular ornamental shade tree that is used extensively in the south. Southern magnolia is promoted as a hurricane/storm resistant tree in urban areas, right-of-ways, parks, and yards and as an alternative to the once-popular Bradford pair (Pyrus calleryana) and red and silver maples (Acer rubrum; A. saccharinum) which tend to break or topple easily (Brodbeck, 2015).

Wildlife:  Seeds are high in fat and are eaten by squirrel, opossum, quail, turkey, mice, and chipmunks and birds. Pollinators, especially beetles, are attracted to the pollen that is high in protein.

Ethnobotany:  A variety of extracts have been taken from leaves, fruits, bark, and wood for pharmaceutical applications (Hodges et al., 2010). The Choctaw Indians used the bark to prepare a skin wash for sores, itching, and steambaths (Taylor, 1940).

Seeds and Plant Production

Magnolias are often pollinated by beetles. There is wide variation in bloom times and flower set between cultivars. Although seed production does not start for approximately years, the trees can produce plentiful seed crops each year.  Seed dispersal in natural communities may occur through birds, mammals, heavy rains, and winds (Maisenhelder, 1970).

References

Brodbeck, B. (2015). Smart growth in urban forestry; hurricane resistant trees. Urban & Community Forestry. Alabama Coop. Ext. Auburn Univ.

Hodges, J.D., D.L. Evans, L.W. Garnett, A. Londo, and L. McReynolds (2010). Mississippi trees (PDF). Retrieved from http://www.fwrc.msstate.edu/pubs/ms_trees.pdf

Maisenhelder, L.C. (1970). Magnolia: (magnolia grandiflora and magnolia virginiana). American Woods FS-245. USDA Forest Service.

Sheahan, C.M. 2015. Plant guide for southern magnolia (magnolia grandiflora). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/factSheet

Taylor, L.A. (1940). Plants used as curatives by certain southeastern tribes. Cambridge, MA: . Botanical Museum of Harvard University.