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Magnolia acuminata

(Cucumbertree Magnolia)

Overview

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Endangered
Threat status

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Blue Magnolia, Cucumber Magnolia, Cucumber-Tree, Cucumbertree Magnolia

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 Magnolia

Trees or shrubs , deciduous or evergreen . Pith homogeneous or diaphragmed . Leaves distinctly alternate or sometimes crowded in terminal whorl-like clusters ; stipules early deciduous, free or adnate to and proximal on petiole . Leaf blade : base deeply cordate or auriculate or cuneate to abruptly narrowed or rounded , margins entire, apex obtuse or acute to acuminate; surfaces abaxially chalky white or green to glaucous, pubescent or glabrous . Flowers protogynous, appearing with or before leaves; tepals 9-15, petaloid , usually spreading , creamy white, rarely greenish, yellow, or orange-yellow, outermost tepals sepaloid , sometimes strongly reflexed , greenish; stamens on elongate torus, early deciduous; filaments white or purple, very short; anthers introrse or latrorse . Follicles persistent , coalescent , forming conelike aggregate, abaxially dehiscent. Seeds with red, pink, or orange oily aril, extruded from follicles and suspended by funiculi. x =19.

Species ca. 120: temperate and tropical regions , Western Hemisphere, Asia (Himalayas, China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia) .[2]

Physical Description

Species Magnolia acuminata

Trees, deciduous, single-trunked, to 30 m. Bark dark gray, furrowed . Pith homogeneous . Twigs and foliar buds silvery-pubescent. Leaves distinctly alternate, not in terminal whorl-like clusters ; stipules 3.2-4.3 × 1.4-1.6 cm, abaxially pilose . Leaf blade broadly ovate-elliptic, oblong to oblong-obovate, rarely somewhat rotund , (5-) 10-25(-40) × 4-15(-26) cm, base cuneate to truncate or broadly rounded , often somewhat oblique , apex acuminate; surfaces abaxially pale green to whitish, pilose to nearly glabrous , adaxially green, glabrous or rarely scattered pilose. Flowers slightly aromatic , 6-9 cm across; spathaceous bracts 2, abaxially silky-pubescent; tepals erect , strongly glaucous to greenish or sometimes yellow to orange-yellow, outermost tepals reflexed , much shorter, green; stamens (50-) 60-122(-139), 5-13 mm; filaments white; pistils (35-) 40-45(-60). Follicetums oblong-cylindric, often asymmetric , 2-7 × 0.8-2.7 cm; follicles short-beaked, glabrous. Seeds heart-shaped, somewhat flattened to somewhat globose , 9-10 mm, smooth , aril reddish orange. 2n=76. [source]

Trees , deciduous, single-trunked, to 30 m. Bark dark gray, furrowed. Pith homogeneous. Twigs and foliar buds silvery-pubescent. Leaves distinctly alternate, not in terminal whorl-like clusters; stipules 3.2-4.3 × 1.4-1.6 cm, abaxially pilose. Leaf blade broadly ovate-elliptic, oblong to oblong-obovate, rarely somewhat rotund, (5-) 10-25(-40) × 4-15(-26) cm, base cuneate to truncate or broadly rounded, often somewhat oblique, apex acuminate; surfaces abaxially pale green to whitish, pilose to nearly glabrous, adaxially green, glabrous or rarely scattered pilose. Flowers slightly aromatic, 6-9 cm across; spathaceous bracts 2, abaxially silky-pubescent; tepals erect, strongly glaucous to greenish or sometimes yellow to orange-yellow, outermost tepals reflexed, much shorter, green; stamens (50-) 60-122(-139), 5-13 mm; filaments white; pistils (35-) 40-45(-60). Follicetums oblong-cylindric, often asymmetric, 2-7 × 0.8-2.7 cm; follicles short-beaked, glabrous. Seeds heart-shaped, somewhat flattened to somewhat globose, 9-10 mm, smooth, aril reddish orange. 2 n =76. [source]

Studies of Magnolia acuminata have failed to reconcile the nature of variation in this widespread species. In an attempt to settle differences in variation patterns, J.W. Hardin (1954) recognized four infraspecific taxa in M. acuminata. Later (1972, 1989) Hardin abandoned his earlier views for a more conservative stance, stating that variation in M. acuminata lacked any consistent pattern or geographic correlation . This is the view taken here--no infraspecific taxa are accepted for M. acuminata at this time. Its flowers are normally greenish and glaucous or sometimes yellow to orange-yellow, less showy than those of other magnolias in the flora . In southern areas, trees with yellow to orange-yellow flowers (originally described by Michaux as M. cordata ) occur in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and perhaps elsewhere, together with trees that bear normal greenish flowers. Both filiform and flagelliform trichomes occur on the leaves; cylindric trichomes also occur. [source]

Magnolia acuminata is of value to horticulturists because no other species of the genus has yellow tepals. Magnolia acuminata contains major quantities of xanthophyll lutein-5,6-epoxide and, in smaller amounts, acarotene-5,6-epoxide. Although this carotenoid occurs randomly throughout populations of M. acuminata, often it is masked by chlorophyll and not visibly expressed. Sometimes the carotenoid pigment shows through, as in the hybrid M. acuminata × M. denudata 'Elizabeth'. In that cross the M. acuminata parent tree was a nondescript plant with greenish flowers; yet out of this hybrid came 'Elizabeth', a stunning plant with light canary yellow flowers, a result completely unexpected. A thorough field study of M. acuminata is clearly warranted, and further investigation of the carotenoid flower pigments is needed to clarify the taxonomy of this widespread tree. [source]

ID Features: Whitish, silvery, silky pubescent terminal buds. Terminal buds are 0.5" to 0.75" long. Valvate, appressed lateral buds. Ash-gray, smooth bark. U-shaped leaf scar. Emits spicy odor when branch bruised. Red seeds. Greenish white flowers.

Habit: A deciduous tall tree with wide-spreading branches, pyramidal in youth and becoming more open with age.

Flowers: Greenish white flowers. Fragrant. Blooms in spring . Generally hidden by foliage . 2.5" to 3" in diameter. • Bloom Period: April, May, June. • Flower Color: chartreuseyellow-green

Seeds: Fruit: Elongated aggregate of follicles, 2" to 3" long. Red seeds. Showy. Persistent . Looks like a cucumber.

Foliage: Summer foliage: Alternate leaf arrangement . Simple , deciduous leaves. Entire leaf margins . Ovate leaf shape . 6" to 12" long. Yellowish green leaf color. Cordate leaf base . Slightly pubescent . • Fall foliage: Yellowish bronze fall color.

Size/Age/Growth

Growth Rate: Fast. • Size: 50' to 80' tall and equal in width .

Landscaping

Landscape Uses: As a specimen. Shade tree . Street tree. Golf courses . Park tree. • Liabilities: Thin bark easily damaged by lawn equipment. Scale.

Habitat

Hardy to zone 4 and warmer parts of 3

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

Biology

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Growth

Culture: Full sun to partial shade. Soil tolerant . Transplant from container or B&B, difficult to transplant. Prune after flowering. Prefers fertile , moist soil.

Soil: Minimum pH: 6.1 • Maximum pH: 7.8

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade.

Temperature: Cold Hardiness: 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. (map)

Taxonomy

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Unambiguous Synonyms

  1. Kobus acuminata (L.) Nieuwl.
  2. Kobus acuminata (Linnaeus) Nieuwland
  3. M. acuminata subsp. cordata (Michaux) E. Murray
  4. M. acuminata var. aurea (Ashe) Ashe
  5. M. acuminata var. cordata (Michaux) Seringe
  6. M. acuminata var. ludoviciana Sargent
  7. M. acuminata var. ozarkensis Ashe
  8. M. acuminata var. subcordata (Spach) Dandy
  9. M. cordata Michaux
  10. Magnolia acuminata cordata (Michx.) E. Murray
  11. Magnolia acuminata forma aurea (Ashe) Hardin
  12. Magnolia acuminata ozarkensis (Ashe) E. Murray
  13. Magnolia acuminata var. alabamensis Ashe
  14. Magnolia acuminata var. aurea (Ashe) Ashe
  15. Magnolia acuminata var. cordata (Michx.) Sarg.
  16. Magnolia acuminata var. decandollei (Savi) Dc.
  17. Magnolia acuminata var. ludoviciana Sarg.
  18. Magnolia acuminata var. ozarkensis Ashe
  19. Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata (Spach) Dandy
  20. Magnolia candollei Link
  21. Magnolia cordata Michx.
  22. Magnolia decandollei Savi
  23. Magnolia pensylvanica Dc.
  24. Magnolia rustica Dc.
  25. Magnolia virginiana L. Var. acuminata L.
  26. Magnolia virginiana Linnaeus var. (E) Acuminata Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 536. 1753
  27. Magnolia virginiana var. acuminata L.
  28. T. acuminatum var. aureum Ashe
  29. T. acuminatum var. flavum Small
  30. T. acuminatum var. ludovicianum (Sargent) Ashe
  31. T. acuminatum var. ozarkense (Ashe) Ashe
  32. T. americanum Spach
  33. T. americanum var. subcordatum Spach
  34. T. cordatum (Michaux) Small
  35. Tulipastrum acuminatum (L.) Small
  36. Tulipastrum acuminatum (Linnaeus) Small
  37. Tulipastrum acuminatum var. aureum Ashe
  38. Tulipastrum acuminatum var. ludovicianum (Sarg.) Ashe
  39. Tulipastrum americanum Spach
  40. Tulipastrum americanum var. subcordatum Spach
  41. Tulipastrum americanum var. vulgare Spach
  42. Tulipastrum cordatum (Michx.) Small
  43. Yulania acuminata (L.) D. L. Fu

Notes

Basionym : Magnoliaceae Magnolia acuminata L.Basionym author : (L.) Publishing author: Spach Publication : Hist. Veg. Phan. vii. 483 (1839) Publishing author: Small Publication: Fl. S.E. U.S. 451, 1331 1903 [22 Jul 1903] Publishing author: Hort. ex DC. Publication: Syst. i. 453 Basionym: Magnoliaceae Talauma candollii BlumeBasionym author: (Blume) Publishing author: Spach Publication: Hist. Nat. Veg. (Spach) 7: 483 1839 Publishing author: Ashe Publication: Bull . Torrey Bot. Club 55: 464 1928 Publishing author: Ashe Publication: Bull. Charleston Mus. 13: 28 1917 Name Status: Accepted Name .

Publishing author: Dandy Publication: Amer. J. Bot. 51: 1056 1964 Basionym author: (Spach)A tentatively accepted name in the RHS Horticultural Database.

Publishing author: Sarg. Publication: Bot. Gaz. 67: 232 1919 Publishing author: Sarg. Publication: Amer. J. Sci. 132 (ser. 3, 32): 473 1886A tentatively accepted name in the RHS Horticultural Database.

Publishing author: Ashe Publication: J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 34: 137 1918 Publishing author: Ashe Publication: Torreya 31: 37 1931 Publishing author: Michx. Publication: Fl. Bor.-Amer. (Michaux) i. 328. Name Status: Accepted Name.

Publishing author: Ashe Publication: J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc. 41: 269 1926 Publishing author: Nieuwl. Publication: in Amer. Midl. Nat. 1914, iii. 297

Name Status: Accepted Name.

Publishing author: L.

A tentatively accepted name in the RHS Horticultural Database.

Place of publication: Syst. nat. ed. 10, 2:1082. 1759

Name verified on 25-Jul-1995 by ARS Systematic Botanists. Last updated: 19-Apr-2007

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Magnolia

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 1113 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus. Here are just 100 of them:

M. acuminata (Cucumbertree Magnolia) · M. acuminata 'Butterflies' (Butterflies Magnolia) · M. acuminata cordata · M. acuminata 'Ellen' · M. acuminata 'Golden Glow' · M. acuminata 'Gold Crown' · M. acuminata 'Gold Star' · M. acuminata 'Kinju' · M. acuminata 'Koban Dori' (Cucumber Magnolia) · M. acuminata large yellow · M. acuminata 'Miss Honeybee' · M. acuminata ozarkensis · M. acuminata (L.) L. var. subcordata (Spach) Dandy (Yellow Cucumbertree) · M. acuminata subcordata 'Golden Gift' · M. acuminata 'Sunray' · M. acuminata 'Ultimate Yellow' · M. acuminata var. acuminata · M. acuminata var. candolii · M. acuminata var. subcordata 'Ellen' · M. acuminata var. subcordata 'Miss Honeybee' · M. acuminata (L.) L. 'Variegata' · M. acuminata var. subcordata 'Skyland's Best' · M. acuminata × kobus 'Norman Gould' · M. acuminata (L.) L. 'Yellow Bird' (Yellow Bird Cucumbertree Magnolia) · M. 'Advance' · M. alba · M. 'Albatross' · M. albosericea · M. 'Alixeed' · M. allenii · M. alternans · M. amabilis · M. amazonica · M. 'Ambrosia' · M. amoena · M. amoena 'Multiogeca' · M. amplifolia · M. 'Andre Harvey' · M. angustioblonga · M. 'Anilou' · M. annamensis · M. 'Anne Rosse' · M. 'Ann' (Ann Magnolia) · M. anonaefolia · M. 'Anticipation' (Anticipation Magnolia) · M. 'Apollo' · M. arcabucoana · M. argyrothricha · M. argyrotricha · M. aromatica · M. ashei (Ashe´s Magnolia) · M. ashtonii · M. 'Asian Artistry' (Deciduous Magnolia) · M. 'Athene' (Magnolia) · M. 'Atlas' · M. baillonii · M. balansae · M. 'Banana Split' · M. banghamii · M. 'Betty' (Betty Magnolia) · M. 'Betty Jessel' · M. 'Big Dude' (Deciduous Magnolia) · M. bintuluensis · M. biondii (Chinese Willow-Leaf Magnolia) · M. biondii f. purpurascens · M. biondii var. axilliflora · M. biondii var. multialabastra · M. biondii var. purpura · M. 'Black Beauty' · M. 'Black Tulip' · M. blaoensis · M. blumei · M. blumei var. blumei · M. blumei var. sumatrana · M. 'Blushing Belle' · M. boliviana · M. borneensis · M. braianensis · M. brooklynensis · M. brozzonii · M. burseracea · M. 'Butterflies' · M. cacuminicola bissei · M. cacuminoides · M. 'Caerhays Belle' (Deciduous Magnolia) · M. 'Caerhays New Purple' · M. 'Caerhays Surprise' · M. californica · M. calimaensis · M. calophylla · M. calophylloides · M. campbelli · M. campbellii (Pink Tulip Tree) · M. campbellii Alba Group · M. campbellii 'Ambrose Congreve' · M. campbellii 'Ann Jenkins' · M. campbellii 'Betty Jessel' · M. campbellii Hook.f. & Thomson ssp. campbellii forma alba Hort. · M. campbellii Hook.f. & Thomson ssp. campbellii 'Darjeeling' · M. campbellii Hook.f. & Thomson ssp. campbellii 'Ethel Hillier'

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 22, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Frederick G. Meyer "Magnoliaceae". in Flora of North America Vol. 3. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  2. Christopher H. Haufler, Michael D. Windham, Frank A. Lang, S. A. Whitmore "Magnolia". in Flora of North America Vol. 3. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  3. Mean = 312.980 meters (1,026.837 feet), Standard Deviation = 224.120 based on 501 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/1/2009