Magnolia denudata (Yulan Magnolia, Lily Tree)

Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciesdenudata
SynonymsM. heptapeta
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginAnhui, Hunan, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Fujian and Zheijang, China.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		Flowers, with calyx removed are used for flavouring rice.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6 - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-20
Temperature (°F)(-15) - 30
Height9-12 m
Spread12 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMarch, April, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as globally threatened.
ID CharacteristicFragrant cup-shaped white flowers resembling lily's, appear before ovate leaves.
LandscapeCourtyard and cottage gardens.
PropagationSeed in autumn or softwood cuttings in late spring.
CultivationBest grown in moist well-drained soil in full sun.
PestsCapsid bug, snails and horse chestnut scale.
Notable SpecimensCaerhays Castle, Gorran, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England.
HabitatMoist wetland areas.
Bark/Stem DescriptionBark is a coarse, dark grey.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are ovate, bright green, 15 cm long and 8 cm wide.
Flower DescriptionThe 10-16 cm cup-shaped, white flowers that emerge from early to late spring, white and thick with a citrus-lemon fragrance, are prone to browning if subjected to light frost. The 9 similar petals are 7.5 cm long.
Fruit DescriptionSeeds ripen from September through November.
Texture DescriptionCoarse texture.

Photographs