Magnolia liliifera (Egg Magnolia)


Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciesliliifera
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNortheast India and northern Thailand and Burma. locally common in Northern Thailand but restricted to undisturbed areas.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold seasons protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height15 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch, April, May

Description and Growing Information

ShapeOpen, irregular crown.
CultivationBest grown in full sun to partial shade in well drained soil.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth pale brown bark.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionThe globular flower buds are 3-4 cm long and covered by a purple bract.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are narrowly obovate with obtuse apex and tapering base and grow as large as 20-50 cm long and 7.5-15 cm wide. They are smooth or with scattered hairs abaxial on the midvein. Leaves have 9-15 pairs of widely spaced side veins. The petiole is 5-7 cm in length and swollen at the base while the stipule scar is less than 3/4 the petiole length.
Flower DescriptionThe solitary fragrant blooms are 15 cm wide, white and found at the end of the twigs. The unfurling petals give the flowers a dome or egg-like shape. the sepals/petals are 5-7 cm, thick and fleshy with the inner ones being slightly narrower, and fall soon after opening.
Fruit DescriptionThe woody, 10-15 cm oblong fruit splits into 30-50 separate sections when recipe each with a bright red seed. Fruiting occurs from August to October.
Colour DescriptionFlowers are yellow to cream.

Photographs