Southern Magnolias help define the deep south landscape. Their large, prominent white flowers are hard to miss and are a favorite subject for artists and photographers. Southern Magnolia is the state tree and flower for Mississippi, the Magnolia State, and the state flower of Louisiana. And although the flowers are the main attraction, the plant offers other equally prominent features.
If you look past the open blossoms, early and late flower buds can be just as attractive, as are the developing cones that are left after a variety of pollinators have completed their task. As those cones mature in the fall, the bright red seeds add seasonal color. Even the dark green leaves provide visually attractive background.
For me, another interesting feature of this plant is the varying degree of pubescence (fuzz) on the underside of leaves. At its greatest, a dark copper colored layer of trichomes cover the underside of each leaf, adding even more contrast when the wind blows. But some trees seem to have little or varying degrees of pubescence.
A quick review of the literature suggests a couple of explanations, beginning with genetics. As with many organisms, features vary, in this case the level and color of pubescence. My so-called beard, when I do go a few days without shaving, is, well, pitiful compared to others in my family. It is suggested that the level of pubescence for Southern Magnolia may also deter insects from getting to the leaf surface and help with moisture conservation. And yet more research is needed.
But what many of us may not realized is that Magnolias are one of the first of the flowering plants to appear in our world, dating back at least 100 million years. The flowers appear to be like most others we know, but what we see as petals are unique, called tepals. These thick structures have also evolved to handle the main pollinator, beetles, that are heavier than many of the pollinators that came later.
In any case, these prominent trees are mostly loved for their beauty. And yet, there are those that do not appreciate all their features. The large, leathery, evergreen leaves die after two to three years and create a thick mat of leaves on the ground. In managed landscapes, these leaves are not always welcomed. But left alone, this mat creates a natural mulch layer that supports a rich collection of critters that aid in decomposition and feed a variety of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, lizards, and others. Brown Thrashers make a lot of noise tossing leaves side to side looking for tasty morsels to eat.
Besides their striking appearance, Magnolias are long-lived, surviving for 80-120 years or more. And as with Live Oak, they grow faster than many believe, reaching upwards of 20 feet high in the first 10-15 years. And although there are a number of horticultural varieties of Magnolias that remain smaller and bloom earlier, they are not as resilient, healthy, nor prominent in our landscapes. We should be more patient when we choose trees to plant in our world and let them fill the spaces we intend for them over time. The result is worth it for this old lineage of trees that we all love to see.
Hope to see you in our great outdoors!