Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber Magnolia)

Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciesacuminata
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
References
OriginThe genus Magnolia is named after Pierre Magnol, a French botanist who lived from 1638 to 1715. Found in North America and southern Canada, from New York to Georgia and west to Alabama and North to Southern Ontario. The Magnolia is the official state tree of Mississippi. The oldest nickname of Houston, Texas is 'The Magnolia City' due to the many Magnolias growing along the Buffalo Bayou.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone3 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1a - 8a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40 -(-7)
Temperature (°F)-40 - 20
Height12 - 20 m
Spread6 - 10 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionDark green leaves in summer with reddish brown stems and a spicy scent when bruised. Growing to 8-14 x 6-10 m, with grey-brown bark at a young age that becomes furrowed with flat grey ridges in maturity.
ID CharacteristicWhitish silky terminal buds that are 1.5-2 cm in length. Has a spicy odour when branches are bruised, greenish-white flowers, and red seeds.
Shape Pyramidal at a young age while becoming more open with age.
LandscapeGreat for large properties such as parks and estates, and is a perfect shade tree.
PropagationPropagated by seed, cuttings don't root because of loss of juvenility.
PestsNo notable pest or diseases but may occasionally be bothered by scale.
Notable SpecimensThe A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatIt grows on moist soils mostly in the mountains from western New York to Southern Ontario.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth grey-brown at a young age becoming furrowed with flat grey ridges at maturity.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSilvery, whitish covered with a single keeled scale which looks like a fine line. 1-1.5 cm in length. Lateral buds are green 1-2 cm in length.
Leaf DescriptionDark green in summer, green or brown in autumn, 6-12 x 4-8 cm, alternate venation, rounded at the base.
Flower DescriptionGreenish-white fragrant flowers that bloom in spring, 6.5-7.5 cm in diameter.
Fruit Description6.5-7.5 cm long, resembling a small cucumber: a pinkish red colour.
Colour DescriptionDark green leaf in summer turning green-brown in autumn. Silvery, whitish buds and small cucumber-like fruit that is pinkish-red in colour.
Texture DescriptionMedium course in leaf and coarse in winter.

Photographs