The Magnolia Family
What are they?
There can be few people who are not familiar with magnolias - there must be one in almost every street in the region! Magnolias are truly spectacular when in flower, though late frosts can brown the peal edges some years. There are many magnolia species in North America and eastern Asia, from where they have been introduced as garden plants into Europe, with many hybrids and cultivated varieties having been created. This is one of the most primitive of flowering plant families with relatively unspecialised flowers; the sepals and petals are all rather petal-like and not differentiated from each other. In such a case, the petals and sepals are referred to collectively as a perianth (the outer three perianth segments on many magnolias are sepal-like but they typically drop off before the flower is fully open).
Where are they found?
These large trees and shrubs are all introduced as garden ornamentals in the UK and are likely only to be found where planted, in amenity areas, cemeteries and the like.
Identification
The Tulip-trees are distinctive in their leaves, which appear to have been clipped into a V at the tip. When in flower, their green and orange flowers are distinctive, too. Magnolias can be difficult, not least because of the great wealth of named cultivars, many of which barely differ from each other. Here, I have covered those species that might be encountered widely or which I have personally encountered in public spaces in the region. The flowers offer the best means of identification and you should check the number of perianth segments, their colour and their shape. If present, the appearance of seedpods can be useful.
American Tulip-tree Liriodendron tulipifera
Introduced from North America as an ornamental. Occasional as an amenity tree on roadsides, in parks and in cemeteries. Flowers May to June. Capable of reaching 36m but often less. Readily told by the unique leaf shape. In winter, the leaf buds are distinctive.
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Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana
A hybrid raised in cultivation in France between two Asian species. Very common as a garden plant and occasional as an amenity tree in parks and in cemeteries. Flowers March to April. Eventually a broadly-spreading, multi-stemmed bush or small tree to 10m in height. Perianth segments relatively broad, typically nine, white, pinkish purple or a mixture of the two colours. Leaves large, 8-15cm or more in length.
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Star Magnolia Magnolia stellata
Introduced from Japan as a garden ornamental. Frequent as a garden plant and occasional as an amenity tree in parks and in cemeteries. Flowers March to April. A many-branched shrub to 3m in height. Perianth segments linear and strap-like, typically 12-33, white or pale pink. Leaves 6-13cm in length.
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Kobushi Magnolia Magnolia kobus
Introduced from Japan as a garden ornamental. Rare as an amenity tree in parks and in cemeteries. Flowers April. A large shrub or tree to 15m in height. Perianth segments typically six, white. Leaves 4.5-15cm in length. Seed capsules persistent, hanging, not upright.
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