Common Name
Scientific Name
Yulan magnolia (Magnolia heptapeta) is a small to medium deciduous tree. Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs. Flowers are ivory-white and bloom between March and May. Native to Eastern China, Yulan magnolia was introduced to the West in 1789. Most species are grafted, so most specimens are a clone. The Yulan magnolia is uncommon.Genus name honors Pierre Magnol, French botanist (1638 – 1715); the specific epithet means “bare” or “naked” as the tree flowers before the leaves emerge.
Specimen Provenance:
Common name: Yulan Magnolia, Lily Tree
Species Origin: Eastern and Southern China
New Jersey Status: USDA Unreported
Habit: 30 – 40’ tall with a similar spread. This is a small rounded pyramidal shaped tree.
Habiat: Zone 6 -9.
Trunk/Stem:
Leaves: Deciduous, Simple, Alternate. Obovate to obovate-oblong, 4 -6” longa2 -3 “ wide. Acuminate at tip and tapering at base; margins entire; blade dark gren with little hair on the surface; beneath color is light green with minute pubescence chiefly on veins. Petiole 1” long.
Flowers: Perfect. Flowers have 9 tepals white to ivory, fragrant 5- 6” across; goblet-shaped initially but spreading with time. Blooms in March.
Fruits and seeds: 4 -6” long cylindrical aggregates of follicles that turn rose red with maturity. Pods release red-coated seeds suspended on slender threads at maturity.