# Magnolia The Magnolia is a beautiful tree with large, fragrant flowers. It blooms in spring and is often a favorite in gardens. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens and parks - **Also known as:** Cucumber Tree ![Magnolia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426277/objects/4858.jpg) ## Appearance The Magnolia has large, often fragrant flowers in white, pink, purple, or yellow, distinctively opening from fuzzy buds. Its leaves are typically large and glossy green, sometimes with fuzzy undersides, standing out against its smooth or furrowed bark. The unique cone-like fruit with bright red seeds adds a splash of color after flowering. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Magnoliales - **Family:** Magnoliaceae - **Genus:** Magnolia ## Interesting facts - Certain magnolia varieties are used to make herbal teas in some cultures. Wow! - Magnolias are living fossils; they existed before dinosaurs! Wow! - Some magnolia flowers can grow as big as a dinner plate. Wow! - The durable magnolia wood is used for furniture and musical instruments. Wow! ## Special abilities - **Seed Slingers:** Magnolia seeds are often bright red and covered in a fleshy coating, which helps birds spot and carry them far away to grow new trees. - **Frost Shield:** Some Magnolia species develop fuzzy coats on their flower buds, protecting the delicate blooms from cold snaps in early spring. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 6-30 m - **Spread:** 4-15 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 30-120 cm - **Lifespan:** 80-120 years - **Fruit Type:** Cone-like aggregate of follicles with red seeds - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Evergreen ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Green June Beetle (*Cotinis nitida*) — Attracted by magnolia's ancient flowers. - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on the bright red, fleshy magnolia seeds. - **Parasitizes:** Magnolia Scale (*Neolecanium cornuparvum*) — A tiny insect that feeds on magnolia sap. - **Shelter:** [Northern Cardinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-cardinal) (*Cardinalis cardinalis*) — Builds nests among the dense branches and leaves. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Magnolia? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Magnolia? 6-30 m ### How wide does Magnolia spread? 4-15 m ### Is Magnolia edible? No ### How big is Magnolia? 30-120 cm ### How long does Magnolia live? 80-120 years ### Where is Magnolia usually found? Gardens and parks ### What kind of fruit does Magnolia produce? Cone-like aggregate of follicles with red seeds ## Where to spot - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum-north-carolina) — North Carolina, US · Zoo - [Botanischer Garten Christiansberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/de-0392-botanischer-garten-christiansberg) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park - [Ostdeutscher Rosengarten Forst (Lausitz)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ostdeutscher-rosengarten-forst-lausitz) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Yahiko Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yahiko-park) — Chubu, JP · Park - [Chollipo Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chollipo-arboretum) — KR · Park - [Lenclair Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lenclair-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Magnolia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/magnolia) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Magnolia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/magnolia)