Practical
Plants

Magnolia virginiana

Laurel 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
6 m
Fertility
Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Beetles

Uses

Edible uses

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

The leaves are used as a condiment in gravies etc[3]. A tea is made from the leaves[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

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, diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant and tonic[12][7]. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[7][10] and is also taken internally in the treatment of colds, bronchial diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, rheumatism and gout[10][11]. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit[7]. 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[7]. The leaves or bark have been placed in cupped hands over the nose and inhaled as a mild hallucinogen[11].

Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hallucinogenic
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

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

An essential oil from the flowers has been used in the manufacture of perfumes[8]. Wood - straight-grained, light, soft, easily worked, finishes well, aromatic and yellow in colour[12][13][14][9]. It weighs 31lb per cubic foot[8]. Used for furniture, broom handles, bowls and light woodenware articles etc[13][14][8][9].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida, west to Missouri and Tennessee.
Habitat
Wet acid sandy barrens and swamps at low elevations[4][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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.

Requires a sunny sheltered position in a deep soil that does not dry out in the summer[1]. Plants are also tolerant of wet soils[10]. Succeeds in acid or neutral soils in sun or part shade[4]. Dislikes limey soils[1]. Tolerates some alkalinity so long as there is at least 50cm of good soil above the alkaline layer[6]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[5]. Plants are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[5]. Mature dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but the flowers are easily damaged by frost or wind.[4]. A warmth-loving species, it is best grown in the south and east of Britain[1]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[2]. A slow growing tree but it flowers whilst young[2]. The flowers have a delicious scent of lemons[2]. A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value.

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩

  7. 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

  8. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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