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Liriodendron tulipifera

(Tulip Magnolia)

Overview

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Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in English:

Tulip Magnolia, Canary Whitewood, Tulip Poplar, Tulip Tree, Tulip-Poplar, Tuliptree, Whitewood, Yellow Poplar, Yellow-Poplar

Common Names in French:

Bois Jaune

Description

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Family Magnoliaceae

Trees or shrubs , deciduous or evergreen , aromatic . Pith homogeneous or diaphragmed . Leaves alternate, simple , petiolate ; stipules early or tardily deciduous, at first surrounding stem, adnate on adaxial side of petiole (free in Magnolia grandiflora ), often ochreate, leaving persistent annular scar around node. Leaf blade pinnately veined, unlobed (or evenly 2-10-lobed in Liriodendron ), margins entire. Inflorescences terminal , solitary flowers (often paired in Magnolia ashei ), pedunculate ; spathaceous bracts 2 (Magnolia ) or 1 (Liriodendron ) . Flowers: perianth hypogynous, segments imbricate; tepals deciduous, 6-18, in 3 or more whorls of 3, ± similar or outer tepals sepaloid , inner tepals petaloid ; stamens numerous , hypogynous, free, spirally arranged ; filaments very short to 1/2 length of anthers ; anthers introrse , latrorse , or extrorse , longitudinally dehiscent ; connective with distal appendage ; pistils numerous, superior, spirally arranged on elongate receptacle (torus), stalked or sessile, free or ±concrescent, 1-locular; placentation marginal , placenta 1; ovules 1-2; style 1, short and recurved (Magnolia ) or large and winglike (Liriodendron ) ; stigma 1, terminal or terminal decurrent (Magnolia ) or recurved (Liriodendron ) . Fruits conelike syncarps consisting of aggregates of coalescent , woody follicles (follicetums, as in Magnolia ) or apocarps consisting of aggregates of indehiscent samaras (samaracetums, as in Liriodendron ) . Seeds 1-2 per pistil, arillate , endosperm oily (Magnolia ), or without aril, adherent to dry endocarp ( Liriodendron ) .

Genera ca. 6(-12), species ca. 220 (2 genera, 9 species in the flora ) : mostly in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Western Hemisphere.

Magnoliaceae are pollinated by beetles.

Herbarium material of Magnolia is usually incomplete and inadequate for critical study. Collections should include material of the stipules, spathaceous bracts, a full complement of stamens, and all of the perianth segments to facilitate identification of Magnolia species.[1]

Genus Liriodendron

Trees , deciduous. Pith diaphragmed . Leaves distinctly alternate, not in false terminal whorl; stipules tardily deciduous on summer shoots , free . Leaf blade evenly (2-) 4-6(-10) -lobed, base rounded to shallowly cordate or truncate , apex broadly truncate or notched ; surfaces abaxially glaucous, adaxially lustrous , smooth . Flowers protogynous, appearing with the leaves; tepals (7-) 9, petaloid , tip recurved, greenish yellow with feathered orange band or blotch near base, outermost tepals sepaloid , reflexed , green; stamens on short torus, tardily deciduous, whorled ; filaments 1/3-1/2 length of extrorse anthers . Samaras deciduous, indehiscent, in elongate , spindle-shaped , dry cone. Seeds adherent to dry endocarp. x =19.

Species 2: North America, e Asia.[2]

Physical Description

Species Liriodendron tulipifera

Trees , single-trunked, to 45 m. Bark light gray, thick, deeply furrowed . Stipules paired , light green, elliptic to oblanceolate , 20-45mm; petiole 5-11.5 cm. Leaf blade commonly with 2 shallow upper lobes and 2 lateral lobes at broadest part, or sometimes squarrose and barely lobed , (6.5-) 7.5-15(-23.5) × (8.5-) 12.5-18.5(-25.5) cm; surfaces abaxially glaucous, adaxially bright green. Flowers campanulate ; spathaceous bract 1, brownish, notched ; tepals erect , adaxial orange blotch sometimes gummy , outermost tepals green to glaucous; stamens 20-50, 40-50 mm; filaments white; pistils 60-100. Samaracetums 4.5-8.5 cm, with numerous (1-) 2-seeded, imbricate samaras 3-5.5 × 0.5-1 cm, falling separately at maturity; receptacles with basal pistil persistent. Seeds (1-) 2. 2 n =38. Flowering spring . [source]

Leaf and flower color variation are widespread in this species, but the variation is continuous and without any discernible taxonomic significance. [source]

Liriodendron tulipifera is widely cultivated; a few cultivars have been introduced to horticulture , and the hybrid L. tulipifera × L. chinense is known. [source]

ID Features: Tulip-shaped leaves. Yellow-green tulip-like flowers. Cone-like aggregate fruits. Lightly striped gray bark. Massive size of tree. Glabrous stems. Buds greenish and "mitten-shaped". "telescoping" stems due to encircling stipular line.

Habit: A large, deciduous tree . Ovate to pyramidal when young; older trees become more irregular. Trunks of old trees are massive, and often branchless for quite a distance up. • Growth Form: Single StemShape and Orientation: Erect

Flowers: 2" to 3" long, tulip-shaped, upright blossoms . Borne singly at branch ends. Blooms late may through mid-June. Petals are yellow-green. The inside of the corolla base is orange. Unfortunately most flowers are borne in the higher reaches of the plant. and are not easily observed. • Bloom Period: Mid SpringFlower Color: Yellow • Flower Conspicuous: Tulip-shaped, greenish-yellow and orange flowers

Seeds: Seed per Pound: 14000 • Seed Spread Rate: Slow • Seedling Vigor: Medium • Fruit: A cone-shaped aggregate fruit. Change from green to tan-brown in October. Persist in the winter. • Fruit/Seed Abundance: High • Fruit/Seed Color: Brown • Fruit/Seed Conspicuous: Yes • Cold Stratification Required: Yes

Foliage: blue-tinged • Foliage Shape: Triangular • Foliage Color: Green • Normal foliage color: Blue-green • Underside foliage: Blue-green • Juvenile foliage: Blue-green • Mature foliage: Blue-green • New foliage: Blue-green • Spring foliage: Blue-green • Summer foliage: Alternate deciduous leaves. Leaves have a "tulip" shape . Leaves are 5" to 8" long and wide. Color is bright green. Long petioles of 3" to 4". Emerging leaves are folded. • Fall foliage: Can be very showy. Golden yellow to clear yellow. • Foliage Porosity Summer: Dense • Foliage Porosity Winter: Porous • Foliage Texture: Medium • Fall Conspicuous: Yes • Leaf Retention: No

Size/Age/Growth

Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer • Growth Rate: Fast Growing • Mature Height (feet): 120.0 • Maximum Height at 20 Years (feet): 50 • Size: Fast grower to 90 ft . or more tall and 30 ft. or more wide. Large trees to 150' or more are common. • Vegetative Spread Rate: None • Lifespan: Lifespan

Landscaping

Landscape Uses: Lawn tree . Shade tree. Needs ample space due to very large size. Pyramidal shape in youth is impressive in large groups. Does not get eaten by gypsy moth. • Liabilities: Extremely large size not for smaller sites. Intolerant of hot, dry sites. Aphids and associated sooty mold. Tulip tree scale. Flowers borne high in tree; do not consider as a prominent ornamental . feature. Leaf spot and early partial leaf drop. • Care: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system . Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring .

Habitat

Rich woodlands, bluffs , low mountains, and hills ; 0-1500 m (Ref. 51082).

Zone 5. Can be grown in zone 4 with selection of appropriate genetic material .

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 1,092 meters (0 to 3,583 feet).[3]

Biology

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Reproduction

Duration: PerennialCoppice Potential: Yes • Progagated by Bulbs: No • Propagated by Bare Root: Yes • Propagated by Container: Yes • Propagated by Corms: No • Propagated by Cuttings: No • Propagated by Seed: Yes • Propagated by Sod: No • Propagated by Sprigs: No • Propagated by Tubers: No • Fruit/Seed Period Begin: Summer • Fruit/Seed Period End: Summer • Fruit/Seed Persistence: No

Growth

Culture: Has a fleshy , poorly-branched root system . Prefers a deep, moist, fertile soil. Slightly acidic soil is best, but not required. Avoid very dry, hot sites. Full sun .

Soil: Adapted to Medium Textured: Adapted to Medium Textured Soils • Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes • Anaerobic Tolerance: None • Salinity Tolerance: Low • CaCO3 Tolerance: Low • Minimum pH: 4.5 • Maximum pH: 6.5 • Fertility Requirement: High

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Full sunShade Tolerance: Intolerant

Moisture: Drought Tolerance: Medium • Minimum Precipitation: 30 • Maximum Precipitation: 80 • Moisture Use: Medium • Water Requirements: Water regularly, when top 3 in. of soil is dry.

Temperature: Minimum Temperature (F): -18 • Minimum Frost Free Days: 150 • Heat Zones: High: 9 (>120 to 150 days) Low:2 (1 to 7 days) (map) • Cold Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (map)

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Liriodendron fastigiatum Dippel • Liriodendron heterophyllum K. Koch • Liriodendron integrifolium Steud. • Liriodendron obtusilobum K. Koch • Liriodendron procerum Salisb. • Liriodendron truncatifolium Stokes • Liriodendron tulipifera var. acutiloba Michx. • Liriodendron tulipifera var. obtusiloba Michx. • Tulipifera liriodendrum Mill.

Notes

Publishing author : St .-Lag. Publication : Ann. Soc. Bot. Lyon vii. (1880) 129

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Liriodendron

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 6 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus:

L. chinense (Chinese Tulip Poplar) · L. tulipfera (Tulip Poplar) · L. tulipfera'Ardis' (Ardis Tulip Tree) · L. tulipifera (Tulip Magnolia) · L. tulipifera 'Aureomarginatum' (Tulip Poplar) · L. Tulipifera 'Mediopictum' (Tulip Tree)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 15, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Frederick G. Meyer "Magnoliaceae". in Flora of North America Vol. 3. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  2. "Liriodendron". in Flora of North America Vol. 3. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  3. Mean = 216.890 meters (711.581 feet), Standard Deviation = 206.030 based on 1,084 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/14/2012