# Southern Magnolia (*Magnolia grandiflora*) The Southern Magnolia is known for its large, glossy leaves and big white flowers. It’s a popular tree in the southern United States! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 38 - **Habitat:** Southern gardens - **Also known as:** Bull Bay, Evergreen Magnolia ![Southern Magnolia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425732/objects/4859.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Magnolia is a majestic tree with large, fragrant, creamy-white flowers up to 12 inches across. Its glossy, dark green leaves have a distinctive rusty-brown, felt-like underside, making it easy to identify. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Magnoliales - **Family:** Magnoliaceae - **Genus:** Magnolia ## Interesting facts - Fossil magnolias prove these trees grew when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! - Its huge flowers evolved before bees, so they are pollinated by beetles! - Magnolia flowers close at night to save their sweet perfume for daytime visitors. - The sturdy wood of this tree is surprisingly often used to make furniture! ## Special abilities - **Evergreen Armor:** Southern Magnolia has tough, leathery evergreen leaves that help it survive cold winters and resist damage. - **Giant Fragrance Power:** Its enormous, sweet-smelling white flowers attract many beetles and other pollinators, ensuring the tree can reproduce. - **Seed Spreader:** The bright red seeds inside its cone-like fruit attract birds, who help carry and plant new magnolias. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 18-30 m - **Spread:** 9-15 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 60-120 cm - **Lifespan:** 80-150 years - **Fruit Type:** Aggregate of follicles - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Evergreen ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Japanese Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-beetle) (*Popillia japonica*) — Visits flowers, helping spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on the bright red seeds. - **Shelter:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Often builds nests in its branches. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young leaves and shoots. ## Traits - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [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. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## 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 Southern 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 Southern Magnolia? 18-30 m ### How wide does Southern Magnolia spread? 9-15 m ### Is Southern Magnolia edible? No ### How big is Southern Magnolia? 60-120 cm ### How long does Southern Magnolia live? 80-150 years ### Where is Southern Magnolia usually found? Southern gardens ### What kind of fruit does Southern Magnolia produce? Aggregate of follicles ## Where to spot - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Chambers County Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chambers-county-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Hartwell Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hartwell-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Southern Magnolia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-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: [Southern Magnolia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-magnolia)