Magnolia stellata
Star Magnolia
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
- 5 m
- Spread
- 5 m
- Fertility
- Beetles
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Beetles
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[3].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Woods in mountains. Found only in the mountains to the north-east of Nagoya[2].
- 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[7]. 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[7]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early summer in a frame[8].
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 acid or neutral soils in sun or part shade[5]. Tolerates alkaline soils so long as they are deep and rich in humus[6]. Prefers plenty of humus in the soil[2]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[7]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[7]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[4]. A very ornamental plant, the flowers start to be produced when the plant is only 2 years old and have a delicate sweet perfume[9], though they are easily damaged by frost or wind[1]. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[7]. Plants are slow-growing[8]. Very closely related to M. kobus and possibly no more than a geographical form of that species[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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
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
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8