Virginia Tech Dendrology

Franklin tree Theaceae Franklinia alatamaha W. Bartram ex Marshall symbol: FRAL
Leaf: Alternate, simple, narrowly obovate, finely serrated, 3 to 6 inches long, dark shiny green above, paler and hairy below.
Flower: Showy, white with 5 petals arranged cup-like, yellow stamens in center, 2 to 3 inches across, appearing in late summer and up to first frost.
Fruit: Nearly round woody capsule, 3/4 inch across, initially green and turning brown when ripe, splits 5 ways from the base.
Twig: Moderate, brown, and somewhat silky, leaf scars shield-shaped, buds are hairy and taper to a long point.
Bark: Thin, gray to reddish brown, develops shallow vertical splits with age.
Form: A shrub or small tree with a spreading open crown, may reach up to 20 feet.
Looks like: sweetbay magnolia - redbay - loblolly bay - stewartia

Additional Range Information: Franklinia alatamaha is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information