Magnolia denudata
Lily Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Magnolia genus in the family Magnoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
- Genus
- Magnolia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 10 m
- Spread
- 10 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The flowers, after the calyx has been removed, are pickled and used for flavouring rice[6].
- Product or use
- Condiment
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.
Tonic[4]. The flower buds and the seeds are carminative and diaphoretic[10]. The flower buds are antifungal, astringent, cytotoxic, hypotensive and a uterie stimulant[13]. They are used in Korea in the treatment of headaches, nasal obstruction and sinusitis[13]. They are picked in early spring, dried and then used in Chinese medicine to clear the nasal passages[4]. The plant is anodyne and sedative[10].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Sedative
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Uterine tonic
- Product or use
- Antifungal
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Cytotoxic
- Product or use
- Hypotensive
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - E. and S. China.
- Habitat
- Found in thickets, the trees are often cut down and sprouting from the base[2]. Forests at elevations of 500 - 1000 metres[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- 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[9]. 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[9].
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]. Succeeds in an acid or neutral peaty soil in sun or part shade[7]. Tolerates alkaline soils so long as they are deep and rich in humus[8]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[9]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[9]. A very ornamental tree[1], it is hardy to about -20°c when dormant[7] but plants can be excited into early growth by mild winters and the flowers are then liable to be killed by frost[3]. The flowers, which begin to be produced when the plant is quite young, are deliciously scented[11]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0