Virginia Tech Dendrology

Ashe magnolia Magnoliaceae Magnolia ashei Weath. symbol: MAAS
Leaf: Alternate, simple, very large, 18 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 12 inches) and showy, with several long creamy white petals with a little purple at the base, very fragrant, appearing in spring with the leaves.
Fruit: A cone-like multiple of follicles, 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 or large shrub reaching heights to 20 feet.
Looks like: bigleaf magnolia - Fraser magnolia - pyramid magnolia - umbrella magnolia

Additional Range Information: Magnolia ashei is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
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