Magnolia champaca (Champaca, Champak)


Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Specieschampaca
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginSoutheast to south Asia, and southern China.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Bark used as febrifuge. Flowers used to treat leprosy. Leaves used to treat against colic. Seeds used to treat chapped skin. Also used as food and essential oils. The tree is harvested for timber to the point that it is becoming rare in the wild.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10a - 11b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold seasons protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1.1 - 10
Temperature (°F)30 - 50
HeightUp to 35 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

ShapeNarrow, regular crown.
LandscapeOften planted for its beautiful, fragrant flowers.
PropagationBy cuttings and seed.
CultivationBest grown in full sun to partial shade with well drained soil.
Notable SpecimensSakunothayan Botanic Garden, Wang Tong, Phitsanulok, Thailand
HabitatPrimarily lowland to montane rain forest.
Bark/Stem DescriptionPale grey or brown, smooth with the inner bark pale cream but quickly oxidizing to a dark ochre when cut. The wood is slightly resinous.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaf is 10-20 x 4-9 cm. Narrowly ovate with pointed to tapering apices. Immature or young leaves are silky while mature leaves are smooth with few scattered hairs, especially abaxial on veins. The petiole is 2-4 cm in length while the stipule scar is usually half this length.
Flower DescriptionFragrant flowers with 8-12 narrow sepals/petals, blooms are 4-5 cm in diameter and are bright yellow to orange, and held solitary in leaf axils.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit is 1.5-2 cm in size and is pale brown often with large cream coloured spots. The fruit are often held in 2-5 loose clusters. Seeds are dark brown, enclosed in a thin pink pulp and hang on slender white strings when ripe. Fruiting occurs September through October.
Colour DescriptionFlowers are cream to yellow-orange.

Photographs