Description

Leaves: Alternate; simple; broadly elliptic to ovate; 6" to 10" long; 4" to 6" wide; deciduous; acuminate apex; yellow- green and glabrous above; paler and glabrous or slightly hairy beneath; thin; petiole 1" to 1-1/2" long.

Twigs/buds: Twigs fairly stout; glossy; brown to red-brown; spicy odor when crushed.  Terminal buds about 1/2" to 3/4" long, covered with silvery, silky hairs; lateral buds smaller.

Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, 2" to 3" long, non-showy, yellow-green; appearing in May or June after the leaves open.  Fruit an aggregate of follicles; 2" to 3" long; held upright; seeds red, about 1/2" long, suspended from slender threads at maturity.

Bark: Brown; furrowed into narrow flaky ridges.

Wood: Important; one of the three commercial magnolia species; similar to yellow-poplar (L. tulipifera); pale, hard; used for furniture, pulpwood, framing, pallets, boxes, blinds, veneer, doors, and millwork.

General: Native to the Appalachian region and the lower Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.  Shade intolerant.

Landscape Use: Can be planted in Utah but seldom is.  Fairly large tree with attractive flowers.  Zones 3- 8.

Cultivars: 'Butterflies', DC-4', 'Elba', 'Elizabeth', 'Ellen', 'Evamaria', 'Fertile Myrtle', 'Gold Crown', 'Golden Girl', 'Golden Glow', 'Golden Pond', 'Goldfinch', 'Goldstar', 'Green Beret', 'Hattie Carthan', 'Ivory Chalice', 'Klassen', 'Koban Dori', 'Large Yellow', 'Laser', 'Legend', 'Limelight', 'Moegi Dori', 'Ontario', 'Patriot', 'Peachy', 'Seiju', 'Sundance', 'Sunray', 'Ultimate Yellow', 'Variegata', 'Woodsman', 'Yellow Bird', 'Yellow Fever', 'Yellow Garland', 'Yellow-Green #1', 'Yellow Lantern'.

Characteristics