SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA

4724 Johnson Ave.

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia, is a tree of the family Magnoliaeseae, native to the southeastern United States, from southeastern North Carolina to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching 90 feet in height, it is a large, striking evergreen tree, with large dark green leaves up to 7.75 inches long and 4.75 inches wide. Large, creamy white and very fragrant flowers grace this magnificent tree in late spring and early summer. Magnolia grandiflora can produce seed by 10 years of age, although their peak see production is achieved closer to 25 years of age. Around 50% of seeds can germinate, and they are spread by birds, squirrels and opossums who are known to eat the seeds. An historic specimen southern magnolia grows on the White House grounds. It was planted by President Andrew Jackson from his home in Nashville, in memory of his beloved wife Rachel. The name magnolia honors a French botanist, Pierre Magnol, who admired the tree so much that he transplanted it to Europe in the 1700s.