T r e e s  o f  N o r t h  C a r o l i n a

Magnolia L. (Magnoliaceae)

A genus of about 130 species, trees and shrubs; e. Asia (Himalayas and Sri Lanka to Japan and w. Malaysia) and America (e. North America to West Indies, Central America, and South America).

Six species occur in North Carolina; all are considered native.

Key to Magnolia in North Carolina

1. Leaves cordate-auriculate at base...2.

2. Leaves glaucous and finely appressed-pubescent beneath; buds and twigs pubescent...M. macrophylla (Bigleaf magnolia)

2. Leaves green and glabrous beneath; buds and twigs glabrous...M. fraseri (Fraser magnolia)

1. Leaves cuneate to rounded (subcordate) at base....3.

3. Leaves evergreen, coriaceous in texture, glossy dark green above as if varnished, rusty tomentose or green beneath...M. grandiflora (Southern magnolia)

3. Leaves variably evergreen to deciduous, herbaceous or subcoriaceous in texture, medium green above with a slightly glossy or dull finish; glaucous or green beneath....4.

4. Leaves strongly glaucous beneath, elliptic, 8-20 cm long, evergreen to deciduous, aromatic when fresh...M. virginiana (Sweet bay)

4. Leaves green beneath, either ovate, obovate, or oblanceolate, 4-50 cm long, deciduous, non-aromatic...5.

5. Leaf base rounded to subcordate; leaf blade broader near the middle or toward the base, borne scattered along the twig; buds pubescent...M. acuminata (Cucumber-tree)

5. Leaf base cuneate-attenuate; leaf blade obovate or oblanceolate (broader toward the tip);
buds glabrous...M. tripetala (Umbrella magnolia)