{"id":330,"date":"2026-09-01T12:31:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T16:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=330"},"modified":"2026-09-01T12:31:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T16:31:20","slug":"southern-magnolia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/southern-magnolia\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern Magnolia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Magnolia grandiflora<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

The Southern Magnolia is one of the most iconic trees of the American South. Known for its large fragrant flowers, glossy evergreen leaves, and impressive size, it has been a beloved ornamental tree for generations. Its striking appearance and year-round foliage make it a standout feature in landscapes, parks, campuses, and arboretums.<\/p>\n

Native to the southeastern United States, Southern Magnolia is valued for both its beauty and longevity. Mature trees develop broad pyramidal crowns and can become magnificent specimens that provide shade, wildlife habitat, and visual interest throughout every season.<\/p>\n

Identification<\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Evergreen leaves that remain on the tree year-round<\/li>\n
  • Thick, leathery texture<\/li>\n
  • Dark green and glossy upper surface<\/li>\n
  • Rusty-brown or cinnamon-colored undersides<\/li>\n
  • Typically 5 to 10 inches long<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray to gray-brown bark<\/li>\n
    • Relatively smooth on young trees<\/li>\n
    • Develops light ridges and furrows with age<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Large, creamy white flowers<\/li>\n
      • Exceptionally fragrant<\/li>\n
      • Typically 8 to 12 inches across<\/li>\n
      • Bloom from late spring through summer<\/li>\n
      • Among the largest flowers produced by any native North American tree<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Cone-like seed structures<\/li>\n
        • Mature from green to brown<\/li>\n
        • Release bright red seeds in late summer and autumn<\/li>\n
        • Seeds attract birds and other wildlife<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically grows 60 to 80 feet tall<\/li>\n
          • Can exceed 100 feet in favorable conditions<\/li>\n
          • Mature spread of 30 to 50 feet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native Range<\/h2>\n

            Southern Magnolia is native to the southeastern United States, particularly the Coastal Plain from North Carolina to eastern Texas. It naturally occurs in mixed forests, bottomlands, and moist woodland habitats.<\/p>\n

            Within the Marshall University Arboretum, Southern Magnolia is classified as a United States Native<\/strong> species because it is native to the United States but not considered part of the arboretum’s Appalachia Native category.<\/p>\n

            Ecology and Wildlife Value<\/h2>\n

            Southern Magnolia provides important habitat and food resources for wildlife.<\/p>\n

            Its flowers attract:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native bees<\/li>\n
            • Beetles<\/li>\n
            • Other pollinating insects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Its seeds are consumed by:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Songbirds<\/li>\n
              • Wild turkeys<\/li>\n
              • Squirrels<\/li>\n
              • Various small mammals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                The dense evergreen canopy provides year-round shelter, nesting sites, and protection from weather for a variety of wildlife species.<\/p>\n

                Human Uses and Cultural Significance<\/h2>\n

                Southern Magnolia has become one of the most recognized ornamental trees in North America.<\/p>\n

                It is valued for:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Large fragrant flowers<\/li>\n
                • Evergreen foliage<\/li>\n
                • Attractive form<\/li>\n
                • Longevity<\/li>\n
                • Year-round landscape interest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  The wood has historically been used for:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Furniture<\/li>\n
                  • Veneer<\/li>\n
                  • Interior millwork<\/li>\n
                  • Cabinetry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Southern Magnolia is frequently associated with historic landscapes, university campuses, public gardens, and southern architecture.<\/p>\n

                    Southern Magnolia at Marshall University<\/h2>\n

                    Southern Magnolias add year-round color and distinctive beauty to the Marshall University Arboretum. Their glossy evergreen leaves provide contrast to the many deciduous trees found on campus, while their large white flowers create one of the arboretum’s most spectacular floral displays.<\/p>\n

                    As a United States-native species originating from the Southeast, Southern Magnolia highlights the diversity of American trees beyond the Appalachian region and demonstrates the broad geographic range represented within the arboretum collection.<\/p>\n

                    Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

                    Common Name:<\/strong> Southern Magnolia
                    \nScientific Name:<\/strong> Magnolia grandiflora<\/em>
                    \nFamily:<\/strong> Magnoliaceae
                    \nNative Region:<\/strong> United States Native
                    \nMature Height:<\/strong> 60-80 feet (occasionally 100+ feet)
                    \nMature Spread:<\/strong> 30-50 feet
                    \nGrowth Rate:<\/strong> Slow to Moderate
                    \nSun Requirements:<\/strong> Full Sun to Partial Shade
                    \nSoil Preferences:<\/strong> Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils
                    \nUSDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 6-10
                    \nBloom Period:<\/strong> May to August
                    \nFruit\/Seed:<\/strong> Cone-like fruits containing bright red seeds
                    \nWildlife Value:<\/strong> Provides food, cover, nesting habitat, and pollinator resources
                    \nNotable Characteristics:<\/strong> Large fragrant flowers, evergreen foliage, and glossy leaves with rusty undersides<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Magnolia grandiflora Overview The Southern Magnolia is one of the most iconic trees of the American South. Known for its large fragrant flowers, glossy evergreen leaves, and impressive size, it has been a beloved ornamental tree for generations. Its striking appearance and year-round foliage make it a standout feature in landscapes, parks, campuses, and arboretums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-330","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":331,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330\/revisions\/331"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}