Magnolia stellata

star species

Magnoliaceae › Magnolia

Star magnolia is in the magnolia or Magnoliaceae family and is native to Japan. It is closely related to the kobushi magnolia (Magnolia kobus). It is a small deciduous tree which can reach 2.5 m tall but spread to 4.6 m.

  • Tree is pyramidal when young, maturing to a spreading, dense, rounded form.
  • Leaves are simple, obovate, dark green, 10–12 cm long and 1.5-2 cm across.
  • Terminal flower buds are evident before leaves appear in spring, and are 2.5–-3.8 cm long with a silky, gray pubescence.
  • Flowers are on branch tips, about 7-10 cm in diameter, ranging from white to rich pink, with 12 or more tepals (like petals), emerging in March to April before the leaves.
  • Flowers give way to a knobby aggregate fruit about 5 cm long with red seeds that mature in late summer to early fall.

Contributors

  • Paco Garin