Magnolia macrophylla
Magnolia ashei
bigleaf magnolia
Ashe's magnolia
and foliar buds silky-pubescent.
and foliar buds silky-pubescent.
blade broadly elliptic to obovate-oblong, 50-110 × 15-30 cm, base truncate to deeply cordate or auriculate, apex acute to short-acuminate or obtuse;
surfaces abaxially chalky white, sometimes pale green to glaucous, pilose, adaxially deep green, glabrous.
blade broadly elliptic to obovate-oblong, (17-)25-46(-56) × (10-)15-30(-40) cm, base truncate to deeply cordate or auriculate, apex acute to short-acuminate;
surfaces abaxially chalky white or pale green to glaucous, pilose, adaxially deep green, glabrous.
solitary, fragrant, 35-40(-50) cm across; spathaceous bracts 2, outer bract abaxially rusty gray, inner bract thinner, glabrous;
tepals creamy white, glandular, innermost whorl purple-blotched at base, outermost segments strongly reflexed, greenish;
stamens (300-)350-580, 12.5-24.5 mm;
filaments white;
pistils 50-80.
solitary or often in pairs on adjacent twigs, fragrant, 15-38(-50) cm across; spathaceous bracts 2, outer bract abaxially rusty gray, inner bract glabrous;
tepals creamy white, glandular, innermost whorl purple-blotched at base, outermost segments strongly reflexed, greenish;
stamens 170-350, 13-20 mm;
filaments white;
pistils 20-50.
± ovoid, 10-12 mm, pointed, aril orange-red.
lenticular to somewhat globose, 8-10 mm, aril orange-red.
homogeneous.
homogeneous.
globose-ovoid, 5-8 × 5-7 cm;
follicles short-beaked, distally appressed silky-pubescent.
cylindric to nearly ovoid, 2.5-6.5 × 1.5-4 cm;
follicles short-beaked, distally appressed silky-pubescent.
=38.
=38.
Magnolia macrophylla
Magnolia ashei
The disposition of Magnolia macrophylla and its close relative M. ashei has been perplexing since M. ashei was described. Some investigators have treated them as geographic varieties or subspecies, and this has some questionable merit. In the foliar state M. macrophylla is hardly, if at all, distinguishable from M. ashei, but in other morphologic details of flower and fruit, they are readily distinguished. They also differ in the floral odors, which are distinct and chemically different (L.B. Thien et al. 197). Magnolia macrophylla and M. ashei are allopatric. Magnolia macrophylla is a much larger, usually single-trunked tree of the piedmont with a wider distribution, larger leaves, more stamens, larger stipules, and both filiform and flagelliform trichomes on the leaves. The follicetum is nearly globose-ovoid, with more pistils and larger seeds. Magnolia macrophylla produces the largest leaves and flowers of any species of the genus.
In Arkansas Magnolia macrophylla was known from a single disjunct locality in Clay County, where only two trees were recorded in 1981 (R.B. Figlar 1981). A survey in 1995 failed to locate the species in the same site.
This handsome tree is occasionally cultivated. A close relative, M. dealbata Zuccarini, occurs in Mexico.
The largest known tree of Magnolia macrophylla, 32m in height with a trunk diameter of 53 cm, is recorded from Daniel Boone National Forest, Tight Hollow, Kentucky (American Forestry Association 1994).
The Cherokee tribe used Magnolia macrophylla, mainly the bark, as an analgesic, antidiarrheal, gastrointestinal aid, respiratory aid, and toothache remedy (D.E. Moerman 1986).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Of conservation concern.
Magnolia ashei, the rarest species of Magnolia in the flora, is limited to six counties in the Florida panhandle; it is in danger of extirpation because of habitat disturbance. Magnolia ashei differs from M. macrophylla in being a smaller, often multitrunked tree with smaller leaves, fewer stamens and pistils, smaller seeds, smaller stipules, filiform trichomes, and smaller, nearly glabrous, cylindric follicetums. The flowers are often borne in pairs. Magnolia ashei flowers at an early age (three to four years from seed); it is a desirable small tree in cultivation.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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