Virginia Tech Dendrology

bigleaf magnolia Magnoliaceae Magnolia macrophylla Michx. symbol: MAMA2
Leaf: Alternate, simple, very large, 20 to 30 inches long, with wavy edges and "ear-lobes" at the base, green and shiny above, lower surface with whitish hairs.
Flower: Species is monoecious; large (10 to 14 inches) and showy, with several long creamy white petals, very fragrant.
Fruit: Cone-like, nearly round, 2 to 3 inches long, rose colored.
Twig: Stout, with a large leaf scar, stipule scar circles the twig; bud is large (1 inch) and covered with silvery pubescence.
Bark: Thin, smooth and gray-brown, may develop small platy patches.
Form: Small tree reaching heights to 40 feet, generally a straight trunk.
Looks like: Ashe magnolia - cucumbertree - umbrella magnolia - Fraser magnolia

Additional Range Information: Magnolia macrophylla 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 - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2021 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