Practical
Plants

Magnolia acuminata

Cucumber Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Magnolia genus in the family Magnoliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
20 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Beetles

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the bark is antiperiodic, aromatic, mildly diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant, tonic[13][6]. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[6]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach ache and cramps[12]. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit[6]. A hot infusion of the bark has been snuffed to treat sinus problems and has also been held in the mouth to treat toothaches[12]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[10]. It does not store well so stocks should be renewed annually[10]. A tea made from the fruit is a tonic, used in the treatment of general debility and was formerly esteemed in the treatment of stomach ailments[6].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots are very disease-resistant and are used as a rootstock for less vigorous species[7]. Wood - finely grained, soft, light, durable, not strong[13][15][16][17][2][8][9]. It weighs 29lb per cubic foot[9]. It takes a very good polish and is used for boxes, crates, flooring, cabinet making etc[13][15][16][2][8].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New York to Georgia, west to Alabama and Ontario.
Habitat
Rich woods, especially in uplands[14]. Low mountain slopes and the rocky banks of streams[17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame[5]. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Layering in early spring[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture[1]. Tolerates limey soils[5] so long as they are deep and rich in humus[4]. The branches are brittle and so a sheltered position is required[5]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[5]. Plants are hardy to about -28°c[5]. A fairly fast-growing tree, it takes about 25 - 30 years before it first produces flowers and lives about 125 - 150 years in the wild[8]. The sub-species M. acuminata cordata begins flowering at an earlier age[11]. Good seed crops are produced about every 3 - 5 years[8]. The flowers have a delicate perfume[11]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

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  8. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  11. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  15. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  17. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2

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