Bigleaf magnolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bigleaf magnolia |
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| Conservation status | |
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Magnolia
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| Species: |
macrophylla
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| Natural range | |
The Bigleaf Magnolia (scientific name: Magnolia macrophylla) is a special tree. It's a type of deciduous magnolia, which means it loses its leaves in the fall. This amazing tree grows naturally in the southeastern United States and eastern Mexico. It's famous for having the biggest simple leaf and the largest single flower of any plant native to North America!
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What is a Bigleaf Magnolia?
The Bigleaf Magnolia is a medium-sized tree. It usually grows to be about 15 to 20 meters (around 50 to 65 feet) tall. Some have even been found to be over 27 meters (almost 90 feet) tall! You can easily spot this tree because of its huge leaf size. Its leaves can be 25 to 80 centimeters (10 to 31 inches) long and 11 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) wide. Sometimes, the tree's branches even bend under the weight of these giant leaves.
How Bigleaf Magnolias Grow
Bigleaf Magnolias like to grow in rich, moist forests. They do well when there's enough light, but they don't need full sunshine all day. They can handle some shade once they are grown. It's a bit hard for new Bigleaf Magnolias to grow naturally because there aren't many adult trees that produce seeds. Also, the seeds don't always grow into new plants very easily.
Types of Bigleaf Magnolias
There are three main types, or subspecies, of Magnolia macrophylla. Some scientists even think these might be completely separate species!
- Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla subsp. macrophylla): This type is found in the southeastern United States. It's a tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall. Its leaves are usually 50–90 centimeters long, and its fruit is 4–10 centimeters long.
- Ashe Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla subsp. ashei): This type is rarer and grows in northwest Florida. It's usually a shrub or a small tree, growing up to 12 meters tall. Its leaves are a bit smaller (25–60 centimeters long), and its fruit is 4–5 centimeters long. Some botanists consider it a distinct species called Magnolia ashei.
- Mexican Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla subsp. dealbata): This type is found in cloud forests in Mexico. It's a tree that can reach 20 meters tall. Its leaves are 30–60 centimeters long, and its fruit is larger, 8–15 centimeters long. Some botanists also see this as its own species, Magnolia dealbata.
The Ashe Magnolia in Florida
The Ashe Magnolia is a very rare plant. It grows only along the rivers and valleys near the Apalachicola River in Florida. It looks a lot like the regular Bigleaf Magnolia but has shorter, wider leaves and smaller flowers. Its flowers are white with purple spots and bloom in late spring. Animals eat its fruit, but because the plant is so rare, it's not a big part of any animal's diet.
Where Bigleaf Magnolias Live
In the southeastern United States, especially around Alabama, people sometimes call Magnolia macrophylla the "cowcumber magnolia." This helps tell it apart from the "cucumber-tree magnolia" (M. acuminata), which has much smaller leaves.
Protecting Bigleaf Magnolias
Collecting plants from the wild, even for good reasons, can harm the Bigleaf Magnolia population. This is because there aren't many of these trees, and they are spread out. If too many are collected, they can disappear from certain areas.
- The Bigleaf Magnolia is listed as threatened in North Carolina.
- It is listed as endangered in Arkansas and Ohio.
- The Ashe Magnolia in Florida is also endangered because it has a small population and grows in a very limited area.
- The Mexican Bigleaf Magnolia is also endangered because its natural home is being lost.
Growing Bigleaf Magnolias
Bigleaf Magnolias can be a bit tricky to grow in gardens. They need special care to thrive. They like loose, rich soil that drains well and has a low pH. They prefer full sun or partial shade. It's best to plant them in places that are similar to their natural homes, where they are protected from strong winds that can damage their large leaves. They can grow further north than their natural range, but they will need extra water during dry times. Generally, these trees don't have many problems with pests or diseases.
Images for kids
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A single large leaf
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A sapling
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Naturalized tree
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei open flower
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei flower detail
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. ashei mature fruit
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla bud break
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla open flower
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla mature fruit
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla 1989 accession (#960-89*A), Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
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Magnolia macrophylla ssp. macrophylla leaves in fall
See also
In Spanish: Magnolia macrophylla para niños
