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Magnolia
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Magnolia

Magnolia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameMagnolia
DescriptionAncient flowering tree producing spectacular large blooms in goblet, tulip, or star shapes before or alongside leaves in spring. Flowers range from pure white to pink, purple, or yellow with sweet, lemony fragrance. One of Earth's oldest flowering plants, existing for over 95 million years - predating bees, so pollinated by beetles. Includes both evergreen Southern species with glossy leaves and deciduous Asian types with dramatic spring displays. Prized as specimen trees for their stunning flowers, architectural form, and historical significance as living fossils.
FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
TribeMagnoliales

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ P9-18 A∞ G∞

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 9-18 tepals in 3-6 whorls of 3 (perianth not differentiated into sepals and petals), numerous free stamens arranged spirally, numerous free carpels arranged spirally on elongated receptacle (apocarpous), each with superior ovary. Primitive flower structure

Features
  • Named by Carl Linnaeus for French botanist Pierre Magnol. Among Earth's most ancient flowering plants - fossils date back 95 million years. Evolved before bees, so pollinated by beetles. Over 200 species. Flowers have tepals (petals and sepals look alike) instead of distinct petals. Considered primitive flowering plant showing evolutionary link
  • Flowers 3-12 inches (7-30 cm) across depending on species. Shapes include goblet (M. grandiflora), tulip (M. soulangeana), or star (M. stellata). Colors range from pure white to pink, purple-pink, yellow, or bicolors. Typically 6-12 tepals (petal-like structures). Sweet, lemony, or citrus fragrance. Blooms early spring (March-May) before or with leaves
  • Evergreen or deciduous trees or large shrubs. Southern types (M. grandiflora) evergreen with glossy, leathery leaves. Asian species deciduous, flowering on bare branches in spring. After flowering, produces cone-like aggregate fruit containing red seeds. Slow-growing but long-lived. Pyramidal to spreading form
  • Size varies by species: shrub forms 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m), medium trees 20-40 feet (6-12 m), large specimens 60-80 feet (18-24 m). Spread 20-40 feet. Lifespan of 80-120+ years, some specimens over 200 years. Propagated from seed, cuttings, layering, or grafting. Slow-growing, adding 1-2 feet per year
  • Native to two main regions: eastern North America (M. grandiflora, M. virginiana) and eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas). Found in moist woodlands, stream banks, and mountain slopes. Now cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical zones. Many garden hybrids developed
  • Requires full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun for best flowering). Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Needs consistent moisture, especially when young. Protect from strong winds. Hardy zones 4-10 depending on species. Shallow roots - mulch well, avoid cultivation beneath tree
  • Magnificent specimen tree for lawns, estates, and large gardens. Flowers attract beetles (primitive pollinators). Evergreen types provide year-round screening. Fragrant flowers used in perfumes. Bark and flower buds used in traditional Chinese medicine. Flowers edible, used in Asian cuisine. Symbolizes nobility, perseverance, and dignity. State flower of Mississippi and Louisiana

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificMagnolia
English (Alternate)Southern Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Star Magnolia, Yulan Magnolia, Lily Magnolia, Tulip Tree, Sweet Bay, Swamp Laurel, Champaca
Hindiचंपा (Champa), मैग्नोलिया (Magnolia), कनक चंपा (Kanak Champa)
Tamilசண்பகம் (Chanbakam), வெண்சண்பகம் (Venchanbakam), மகோலியா (Magnolia)
Teluguసంపెంగ (Sampangi), చంపకము (Champakamu), మాగ్నోలియా (Magnolia)
Malayalamചെമ്പകം (Chembakam), കോട്ടച്ചെമ്പകം (Kottachembakam), വെൺചെമ്പകം (Venchembakam)
Kannadaಸಂಪಿಗೆ (Sampige), ಕೆಂಡ ಸಂಪಿಗೆ (Kenda Sampige), ಮ್ಯಾಗ್ನೋಲಿಯಾ (Magnolia)
Sanskritचम्पक (Champaka), चम्पकम् (Champakam), कनकचम्पक (Kanakachampaka)
Bengaliহিমচাঁপা (Himchampa), স্বর্ণচাঁপা (Swarna Champa), সাদা চাঁপা (Shada Champa), শ্বেত চাঁপা (Shwet Champa)
FrenchMagnolia, Magnolier
RussianМагнолия (Magnoliya), Магнолия крупноцветковая (Magnoliya krupnotsvetkovaya)
SpanishMagnolia, Magnolio
GermanMagnolie, Tulpenbaum

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.