kids encyclopedia robot

Umbrella magnolia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Umbrella magnolia
Magnolia tripetala 2.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Magnolia
Species:
tripetala
Magnolia tripetala range map 4.png
Generalized natural range of Magnolia tripetala
Synonyms
  • Kobus tripetala (L.) P.Parm.
  • Magnolia frondosa Salisb.
  • M. michauxii Fraser ex Thouin
  • M. umbellata Steud.
  • M. umbrella Desr.
  • M. virginiana var. tripetala L. (basionym)

Magnolia tripetala, commonly called umbrella magnolia or simply umbrella-tree, is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States in the Appalachian Mountains, the Ozarks, and the Ouachita Mountains. The name "umbrella tree" derives from the fact that the large leaves are clustered at the tips of the branches forming an umbrella-shaped structure.

Description

Umbrella magnolias have large shiny leaves 30–50 cm long, spreading from stout stems. In a natural setting the umbrella magnolia can grow 15 m tall. The flowers are large, appear in the spring, malodorous, 15–25 cm diameter, with six to nine creamy-white tepals and a large red style, which later develops into a red fruit (an aril) 10 cm long, containing several red seeds. These trees are attractive and easy to grow. The leaves turn yellow in the autumn. The leaves are clustered at the tip of the stem with very short internodes. The tree has reddish cone-shaped fruit, is shade tolerant, has shallow spreading roots, and is pollinated by beetles.

Notable trees

The largest known Magnolia tripetala is 15.2 m in height with a trunk diameter of 87 cm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Magnolia tripetala para niños

kids search engine
Umbrella magnolia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.