Mississippi State Tree
Magnolia (common name) genus Magnolia (scientific name) Overview The Mississippi state tree is the magnolia; no species is designated. The genus Magnolia consists of 35 species of deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs in North and Central America, eastern Asia and the Himalayas. Nine species are native to the United States. Of the six native (and numerous cultivated) species of magnolia in Mississippi, southern magnolia is popularly considered the state tree, and is grown in the National Grove of State Trees to represent Mississippi. This beautiful, large, evergreen tree is native to the coastal plain region of the southeast, but it has been widely planted in the U.S. There are also several varieties of deciduous magnolia trees. Southern magnolia is also known as evergreen magnolia, bull-bay, big-laurel, and large-flower magnolia. Magnolia was designated as Mississippi's official state tree in 1938. Close-up STATUS Official PHYSICAL DETAILS Magnolia is one of the most primitive of all flowering plants, and its structure has changed little over millions of years. This large, rounded, evergreen tree has a straight trunk and branches that usually reach to the ground. The large, distinctive leaves are stiff, dark green, shiny above, and dull or covered with rusty hairs on the underside. The fragrant flowers are huge, up to 12 inches wide, and creamy white. Flowers are produced in late spring or early summer, followed by cone-like fruits with hard, orange-red seeds in autumn. Southern magnolia tends to keep its lower branches and so forms a broad tree with leaves down to ground level. Height: 60-100 ft (18-30.5 m) Diameter: 24-36 in (61-91 cm) Bark: thin, quite fire-resistant Fruit: cone-like, 3-8 in (8-20 cm) long Leaves: broad, evergreen, shiny green, reddish underneath, 5-10 in (13-25 cm) long LIFESPAN Southern magnolia is a moderately fast-growing evergreen that lives for approximately 120 years. HABITAT This bottomland tree is in its natural habitat throughout the coastal plains of the Deep South. It grows in warm temperate to semitropical climates. Average January temperatures along the coast are 49° to 70°F (9° to 21°C). IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE Southern magnolia seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossum, songbirds, quail, and wild turkey. Fruits are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, and birds, including wild turkey. The tree also provides shelter for birds and wildlife in winter. OTHER USES AND VALUES The hard, heavy wood of southern magnolia is used to make furniture, pallets, and veneer. The tree's chief value, however, is as an ornamental, due to its evergreen foliage and showy flowers. Many strains have been developed, especially to prolong the blooming season. Southern magnolia is a good landscape tree because it is easy to grow, relatively pest free, and resistant to acid deposition. The tree is frequently planted and can be seen in gardens in many parts of the world, including classical Chinese gardens. The leaves, fruit, bark, and wood yield a variety of extracts with potential applications as pharmaceuticals. References to their medicinal qualities go back to as early as 1083. REPRODUCTION Southern magnolia is a prolific seed producer, and good seed crops are usually produced every year. Trees as young as 10 years can produce seed, but optimum seed production does not occur until age 25. Southern magnolia flowers are generally pollinated by beetles. Mature southern magnolia commonly develops root and stump sprouts. Due to bark characteristics, older trees are quite fire resistant, and even if the tops are killed, they sprout vigorously. Southern magnolia will invade pine or hardwood stands and is able to reproduce under a closed canopy. It will not reproduce under its own shade. SITE CHARACTERISTICS Mississippi's state tree is adaptable to a variety of soils, but grows best on rich, loamy, moist soils along streams and near swamps in the Coastal Plain. It grows also on moist upland sites where fire is rare. Southern magnolia is moderately tolerant of shade. It can endure considerable shade in early life but needs more light as it becomes older. LOCATION/ELEVATION The range of southern magnolia extends from North Carolina along the Atlantic Coast to central Florida, westward through the southern half of Georgia, through Alabama, and Mississippi, and across Louisiana into eastern Texas. No part of the tree's range is higher than 500 feet (150 m) in elevation and most of it is less than 200 feet (60 m). Coastal areas within its range are less than 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. TRIVIA Southern magnolia is also the state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana. Mississippi is nicknamed "Magnolia State." The genus Magnolia is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), who invented the concept of botanical classification. The famous magnolia tree at the south portico of the White House was planted by President Andrew Jackson in 1835, in honor of his wife, Rachel. This tree is of interest to dental researchers because magnolia bark extract inhibits many of the bacteria responsible for caries, periodontal disease, and bacterial plaque.
	Click to enlarge an image Magnolia Magnolia Leaves Magnolia Seeds Magnolia Flowers and Bark Magnolia Flower Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) Distribution Map (pdf) CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Magnoliidae Order: Magnoliales Family: Magnoliaceae Genus: Magnolia L.
	Sources: U.S. Forest Service U.S. National Arboretum U.S. Department of Agriculture Author: World Trade Press