Magnolia tripetala
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NO-lee-ah try-PET-ah-lah
- Description
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The Umbrella Magnolia is a flowering, medium-sized, tree or large shrub typically reaching a mature height of 30 feet with a 30 foot spread, although some may grow to 45 feet high. While uncommon, this understory, native tree is found throughout North Carolina. It has 10 to 24 inch leaves in whorl-like clusters at the end of stems and resembles the spokes of an umbrella, hence the common name. The 10 inch flowers are bowl-shaped and creamy white and bloom in the spring. The plant is typically found in the rich, moist woods, ravines, slopes and sides of streams in the Appalachian Mountains.
The Umbrella Magnolia does best in organically rich, moist soil, sited in partial shade, with consistent watering. It tolerates close to full shade, but will grow in full sun, particularly in northern climates, as long as soils are kept moist. However, it does not like extremely dry or extremely wet soils. It should be planted in areas protected from strong winds to prevent damage to the leaves.
The flowers are fragrant with an odor that some people find unpleasant. The wood smells bad when broken and is soft, spongy and easily broken.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases. Magnolia scales and yellow poplar weevils can be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Meadow and Woods
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Species:
- tripetala
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- Pennsylvania to North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains into South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant is a food source for birds and mammals. The leaves are eaten by a variety of animals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Cone-like, pink, 4 inch fruit is an aggregate of follicles. It displays from July to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Creamy white flowers bloom from April to May. Flowers have an unpleasant odor. The bowl-shaped, creamy white 6 to 10 inch flowers have 6 to 12 petal-like tepals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large leaves (up to 24 inches long and 10 inches wide) are clustered at end of stems, near the bud. Like Bigleaf Magnolia the bud is also a light green color that resembles a paint brush.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Gray bark is thin and smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
