Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora · Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, evergreen leaf
Shape
Elliptical to oblong with an acute tip
Margin
Entire (smooth) with a slightly revolute (rolled downward) edge
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate venation with a prominent, raised midrib on the underside and branching secondary veins forming a reticulate network.
Key Features
Large, thick, leathery evergreen leaves with a glossy upper surface and rusty-brown fuzzy underside; massive, fragrant white flowers; large woody aggregate fruits with red seeds; smooth gray bark on older trunks.
Description
The Southern Magnolia is a magnificent, majestic evergreen tree known for its dense, symmetrical pyramidal crown, dark green leathery foliage, and enormous, highly fragrant white flowers that can measure up to a foot in diameter. It produces large aggregate cone-like fruits containing bright red seeds. This particular specimen is a detached, dried mature leaf displaying the characteristic shape and venation of the species.
Habitat
Found naturally in lowland subtropical forests, along the edges of swamps and bottomland floodplains, thriving in moist, acidic, organically rich, and well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States, ranging from coastal North Carolina south to central Florida and west to East Texas. Widely cultivated as an ornamental tree in warm temperate and subtropical regions worldwide.