# Magnolia macrophylla > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Magnolia_macrophylla > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Magnolia_macrophylla.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_macrophylla > Source revision: 1315033453 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Species of tree This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Bigleaf magnolia Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Magnoliids Order: Magnoliales Family: Magnoliaceae Genus: Magnolia Subgenus: Magnolia subg. Magnolia Section: Magnolia sect. Macrophylla Species: M. macrophylla Binomial name Magnolia macrophylla Michx. Natural range ***Magnolia macrophylla***, the **bigleaf magnolia**, is a [deciduous](/source/Deciduous) [magnolia](/source/Magnolia) native to the southeastern [United States](/source/United_States). This species boasts the largest simple [leaf](/source/Leaf) and single [flower](/source/Flower) of any native woody plant in North America. ## Classification *Magnolia macrophylla* is currently considered monotypic, with no subspecies or varieties.[2] In the past, it was often treated as having two subspecies, subsp. *ashei* and subsp. *dealbata*, but these are now treated as separate species, *[Magnolia ashei](/source/Magnolia_ashei)* in Florida,[3] and *[Magnolia dealbata](/source/Magnolia_dealbata)* in eastern Mexico.[4] ## Description The bigleaf magnolia is a medium-sized understory [tree](/source/Tree) 15–20 m (49–66 ft) tall, though some individuals over 27 m tall (and over 100 cm circumference)[5] have been documented by the [Eastern Native Tree Society](https://web.archive.org/web/20110225183236/http://nativetreesociety.org/). This species is distinguished from other magnolias by the large [leaf](/source/Leaf) size, 24–60 cm (9.4–23.6 in) (rarely to 100 cm (39 in)) long and 11–26 cm (4.3–10.2 in) (rarely to 32 cm (13 in)) broad, with a stout 5.5–15 cm (2.2–5.9 in) [petiole](/source/Petiole_(botany)).[6] The tree's branches often bend under the weight of this heavy foliage. The flowers typically have nine [tepals](/source/Tepal) (sometimes only six), with three whorls of three tepals each, the larger ones with a purple spot at the base. The tepals are typically about 14.5–20.5 cm (5.7–8.1 in) long and 5–14 cm (2.0–5.5 in) wide.[6] It is, like all Magnolias, beetle pollinated. The fruit is a cone-like cluster of achenes 5.5–8 cm (2.2–3.1 in) long.[6] The mature seeds, each covered with an orange [aril](/source/Aril), hang down from the cone on silk-like threads, making themselves readily available to passing birds. ### Bee mortality At the Arnold Arboretum, dead bees have been observed inside bigleaf magnolia flowers. However the bees in cited article are honeybees which are not native to North America.[7] ## Distribution and habitat Bigleaf magnolia is found in rich [mesic](/source/Mesic_habitat) woods; any disturbance that lets more light reach the ground is beneficial to the establishment of bigleaf magnolia, but despite its relatively fast growth-rate when stimulated by more light, other understory and canopy trees/seedlings are usually able to outgrow and out-compete it. This suits the plant just fine as it is tolerant of low light levels; it does not need full sun to survive once established (however, it does not tolerate full shade). Natural regeneration is quite limited due to the scarcity of mature, seed-bearing plants and the fact that this tree's population mostly consists of widely scattered individuals. In addition, this species is plagued by poor seed set (most likely from limiting factors mentioned above) and low seed [viability](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/viable), a trait shared by its cousin and frequent associate in the wild in [Appalachia](/source/Appalachia), the *[Fraser magnolia](/source/Magnolia_fraseri)*. In the southeastern United States, especially [Alabama](/source/Alabama) and surrounding areas, *Magnolia macrophylla* is sometimes called the "cowcumber magnolia", in contrast with the much smaller-leaved [cucumber-tree magnolia](/source/Magnolia_acuminata), *M. acuminata*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Threats Collection, both legal and illegal, may have an adverse impact on this tree's population due to low [population density](/source/Population_density), and high [collection](/source/Collecting) pressure can [extirpate](/source/Local_extinction) this species locally. Bigleaf magnolia is listed as [threatened](/source/Threatened) in [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina) and [endangered](/source/Endangered) in [Arkansas](/source/Arkansas) and [Ohio](/source/Ohio). ## Cultivation Bigleaf magnolia is often short-lived under cultivation unless its rather demanding requirements are met. This tree likes loose, undisturbed rich mesic soil (or mulch and compost substitutes) in full sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil and a low pH.[8] This tree will likely succeed in sites that closely mimic its natural habitat and where it is protected from strong wind that can tatter its large foliage. It can be grown farther north than its southerly range suggests, but needs watering during extended dry periods. This plant is generally problem-free. ## Gallery - Young tree in North Chickamauga Creek, Tennessee - Open flower - Mature fruit - At bud break - Leaves in fall - An unripe fruit. - Large specimen growing on [NCSU](/source/North_Carolina_State_University) campus. - *Magnolia macrophylla* 1989 accession (#960-89*A), Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University - A sapling planted in the Tyler Arboretum - A single leaf on the above sapling - A northerly specimen planted on NYC's [Highline](/source/High_Line). ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-iucn_status_20_November_2021_1-0)** Global Tree Specialist Group (2014). ["*Magnolia macrophylla*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62595/3116514). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2014** e.T62595A3116514. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T62595A3116514.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T62595A3116514.en). Retrieved 20 November 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-POWO_2-0)** ["*Magnolia macrophylla* Michx"](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/30417720-2). *[Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online)*. [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). Retrieved 2025-07-16. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-POWO2_3-0)** ["*Magnolia ashei* Weath"](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/149272-2). *[Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online)*. [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). Retrieved 2025-07-16. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-POWO3_4-0)** ["*Magnolia dealbata* Zucc"](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/280259-2). *[Plants of the World Online](/source/Plants_of_the_World_Online)*. [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). Retrieved 2025-07-16. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** See thread on an ENTS trip report in Roswell, GA here: [http://www.ents-bbs.org/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=2133](http://www.ents-bbs.org/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=2133) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hunt_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hunt_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Hunt_6-2) Hunt, David (1998). *Magnolias and their allies*. Milborne Port, Sherborne, UK: International Dendrology Society & Magnolia Society. pp. 92–93. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9517234-8-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9517234-8-0). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** William Friedman (March 2021). ["Seeing Life—Re-engaging with nature"](https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/03/features-seeing-life-arnold-arboretum). *[Harvard Magazine](/source/Harvard_Magazine)*. Retrieved February 25, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Hastings, Don (2001). *Trees for the South*. Atlanta, Georgia: Longstreet Press. p. 109. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-56352-596-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-56352-596-8). ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Magnolia macrophylla](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Magnolia_macrophylla). - [*Magnolia macrophylla* images at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Plant Image Database](https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/image-search/?keyword=Magnolia+macrophylla&submit=Search) - Hetman, Jon. ["Magnolia macrophylla".](https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/hunnewell-building-spring-magnolia-1986/) Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 13 May 2019. Accessed 20 April 2020. - Friedman, William (Ned).["Killer magnolias".](https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/killer-magnolias/)*Posts from the Collections,* Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 20 July 2019. Accessed 20 April 2020. - [An ecological study of Magnolia macrophylla in Gaston County, NC](http://www.michaux.org/magnolia.htm) - [*Magnolia macrophylla* images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu](https://web.archive.org/web/20080604141716/http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/mama2.htm) - [Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals of Florida Online: Magnolia ashei](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927143223/http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Magnolia_ashei.PDF) - [Magnolia macrophylla Distribution Map](http://www.treetrail.net/magnolia.html) - [Interactive Distribution Map of *Magnolia macrophylla*](http://www.plantmaps.com/nrm/magnolia-macrophylla-bigleaf-magnolia-native-range-map.php) - [\[1\]](http://www.ents-bbs.org/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=2133) Taxon identifiers Magnolia macrophylla Wikidata: Q1093540 Wikispecies: Magnolia macrophylla APA: 2598 CoL: 3XHDY EoL: 1154971 EPPO: MAGMA FNA: 233500769 GBIF: 3153783 GRIN: 23117 IFPNI: 1CF7526A-6F31-4F77-A617-A8D44CE306A9 iNaturalist: 165075 IPNI: 30417720-2 IRMNG: 10859149 ITIS: 18075 IUCN: 62595 MoBotPF: 282520 NatureServe: 2.145212 NCBI: 3410 Observation.org: 460971 Open Tree of Life: 863071 PfaF: Magnolia macrophylla Plant List: kew-117698 PLANTS: MAMA2 POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30417720-2 RHS: 10707 Tropicos: 19300032 WFO: wfo-0000233262 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Magnolia macrophylla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_macrophylla) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_macrophylla?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.