Magnolia macrophylla
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Metamagnolia macrophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NO-lee-ah mak-roh-FYE-lah
- Description
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The bigleaf magnolia is noted for its huge oblong-obovate leaves (to 30 inches long) which are the largest simple leaves of any tree indigenous to North America. Leaves are green above and silvery-gray below. They resemble the shape of a paint brush This unusual tree is rarely found in the wild, being limited mainly to a few rich wooded areas in river valleys and ravines in the southeastern United States. It is a pyramidal tree that develops a spreading rounded crown with age, typically growing 30-40’ tall. Showy fragrant flowers are white with rose-purple at the petal bases. Although quite large, the flowers are often located far off the ground and are not always easy to see close up. Flowers give way to spherical cone-like fruits which mature to red in late summer, releasing individual red coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity.
This tree is native, but difficult to use in the landscape due to the large leaves. It grows best in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. It is generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet) and most urban pollutants. It is best if sited in locations protected from strong winds which may shred the large leaves. It may take 12 or more years before the first blooms appear. .
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Native/ Woodland Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. ashei
- Tags:




















- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. ashei
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Species:
- macrophylla
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Caribbean, Mexico, southeastern United States, NC
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, open, cup-shaped flowers to 8-10” (less frequently to 12”) wide bloom in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large leaves, up to 30" long. Produce leaf scares below the bud.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree