Practical
Plants

Magnolia macrophylla

Bigleaf Magnolia

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
slow
Height
10 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.

An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of stomach aches or cramps[9]. A hot infusion of the bark has been snuffed for treating sinus problems and has been held in the mouth for treating toothache[9].

Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

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

Wood - soft, light, not strong, close-grained. Used for flooring, cabinet making etc[10]. The wood is hard but weak according to another reports, which say that it is not used commercially[11][6]. The wood weighs 33lb per cubic foot[7].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Kentucky to North Carolina, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Habitat
Usually growing in isolated groups of a few individuals in sheltered deep rich woods, often in ravines and river valleys[11][6].
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[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]. Dislikes limey soils[2]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates alkaline soils so long as they are deep and rich in humus[4]. The branches are brittle and the leaves very large, so a sheltered position is required[5][6]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[5]. Dormant mature plants are hardy to about -20°c[5] but the plants are apt to be damaged by late frosts when they are young[1]. Trees are slow-growing in the wild[6] and do not commence flowering until they are mature[8]. The leaves are very large and can be up to 80cm long by 25cm wide[6]. The flowers are sweetly scented[6][8]. 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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  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. 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↩5↩6

  7. 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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  11. 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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