Scientific Name
Magnolia virginiana
Family
Magnoliaceae (magnolias)
Description
An elegant, slender tree often found in moist soils; it can be evergreen in the South and deciduous in the North.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, 3–5 inches long, oblong-lanceolate, glossy green on top with a distinct, shimmering silvery-white underside.
Bark: Smooth and gray, aromatic when crushed; remains relatively smooth even as it matures.
Twigs: Slender, bright green, smooth, and aromatic.
Flowers: May–July; creamy white, cup-shaped, 2–3 inches wide with a strong lemon-vanilla fragrance; flowers open in the late afternoon.
Fruits: Late summer; cone-like aggregate of follicles, 2 inches long, dark red to brown; when ripe, they split to reveal bright red seeds hanging by thin threads.
Other Common Names
Swamp Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, Beaver Tree
Size
Height: 10–35 feet.