Beaver Tree

Magnolia virginiana (mag-NO-li-a ver-jin-ee-a-na)

Family: Magnoliaceae Native Understory (15-40 ft)

The sweet bay magnolia is a graceful, slender, deciduous to semi-evergreen native shrub or tree in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). Sweet bay magnolia is native to the coastal areas southeastern United States and north along the Atlantic coast to New York. They are often found in open woodlands, shaded woods, or swamps. This plant was introduced to Europe around the late 1600s and was known as the "Beaver Tree," because the fleshy roots of the tree were used by colonists as bait to catch beavers in traps. The specific epithet, virginiana , is Latin and means "of Virginia." The sweet bay magnolia prefers full sun to partial shade and does best in consistently moist to wet, acidic, and organically rich soils. This species tolerates wet, swampy, and boggy soils, whereas most other magnolias are intolerant of those conditions. Winter damage can occur in zone 6 and the upper part of zone 5. There are cultivars available that are more cold-tolerant and even remain evergreen through the winter. This plant may be propagated by seeds. It typically grows 10 to 35 feet tall and equally as wide. As a tree, it has a spreading, open rounded crown, or it may be a shorter, suckering, open, multi-stemmed shrub. In the Deep South, it is apt to be more tree-like, sometimes growing to 100 feet tall. The leaves are shiny, and dark green on the upper surface, and the undersides are chalky white. The midvein may be pubescent. The flowers are solitary and fragrant, measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter, with 9 to 12 creamy white petals. The flowers will open in the afternoon and close during the night for up to 2 or 3 days. After flowering, cone-like aggregates of follicles appear and contain bright red seeds. Unfortunately, this plant is not as popular as the southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ) due to its smaller flowers. It is an excellent specimen tree for lawns or tall multi-stemmed shrubs for shrub borders. It will do well planted near ponds or streams. Dwarf plants occur with smaller growth forms and leaves and can be used in foundation plantings, near patios, or on the periphery of woodland areas. This plant is moderately salt-tolerant. During the summer months, the tree blooms sporadically until the first frosts. Quick ID Hints: 10 to 35-foot tall deciduous to evergreen multi-stemmed shrub or tree. glossy, laurel-like, dark green leaves on the upper surface and chalky white beneath. creamy white, cup-like flowers measuring 2 to 3 inches in diameter with 9 to 12 petals. up to a 2-inch-long cone-like aggregate of follicles that have bright red seeds. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease issues, but it may be susceptible to chlorosis in alkaline soils. Scales may infest the leaves and stems, and weevils may chew on the leaves. Leaf spots can occur. IDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Magnolia .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 69 attributes.