Umbrella magnolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Umbrella magnolia |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Magnolia
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| Species: |
tripetala
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| Generalized natural range of Magnolia tripetala | |
| Synonyms | |
The umbrella magnolia (scientific name: Magnolia tripetala) is a special kind of tree. People also call it the umbrella-tree. It grows naturally in the eastern United States, especially in places like the Appalachian Mountains and the Ozarks. This tree gets its name because its big leaves grow in a bunch at the ends of its branches, making it look like an umbrella. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves every autumn.
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About the Umbrella Magnolia
Umbrella magnolias have very large, shiny leaves. Each leaf can be 30 to 50 centimeters (about 12 to 20 inches) long. These leaves spread out from strong stems. In the wild, an umbrella magnolia tree can grow up to 15 meters (about 50 feet) tall.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the umbrella magnolia appear in the spring. They are quite large, about 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) across. These flowers are a creamy-white color and have a strong smell. Each flower has six to nine petal-like parts called tepals. In the center, there is a large red part called a style.
After the flowers bloom, the style develops into a red fruit. This fruit is about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and contains several bright red seeds. The fruit is a type of aril, which means the seeds are partly covered by a fleshy layer.
Tree Characteristics
Umbrella magnolias are attractive trees that are also easy to grow. In the autumn, their large leaves turn a beautiful yellow color before falling off. The leaves are grouped together at the very tip of the stem, with very short spaces between them.
This tree produces reddish, cone-shaped fruit. It can grow well in shady areas and has roots that spread out close to the surface of the ground. Interestingly, these trees are pollinated by beetles, which help them make new seeds.
Largest Umbrella Magnolia Trees
The biggest known Magnolia tripetala tree is found in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This amazing tree is 15.2 meters (about 50 feet) tall. Its trunk is about 87 centimeters (34 inches) across.
Gallery
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Immature fruit
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Immature fruit and leaf details
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Tree
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Nearly mature fruit
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Mature fruit with seeds
See also
In Spanish: Árbol paraguas para niños
