Magnolia Flower Information

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Overview

The magnolia flower is such a magnificent bloom that the Mississippi state legislature designated it the official state flower in 1952. The large showy blooms are in stark contrast to the green leaves of the magnolia tree on which they grow.

Magnolia flower image by "A hint of Spring" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: aussiegall (Louise Docker) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.

Colors

The colors of magnolia flowers vary, from the white of the southern magnolia to the yellow of the Fraser magnolia.

Size

The flowers of the southern magnolia are between 6 and 9 inches in diameter, while those of such species as Bigleaf magnolia are as wide as a foot, with the umbrella magnolia's blooms between 7 to 10 inches across. The pyramid magnolia has 4-inch flowers, and those of the cucumbertree are only 2 inches wide.

Effects

Magnolia flowers typically produce large amounts of pollen but no nectar. Beetles seeking to use the protein in the pollen for food wind up pollinating the magnolia trees.

Sepals and Petals

The magnolia flowers in the American species possess three sepals and a varied number of petals. For instance, the sweetbay magnolia has nine to 12 petals while the umbrella magnolia flower has from six to nine.

Time Frame

Magnolias normally bloom in late spring and into summer. By midsummer, the flowers develop into the fruit of the magnolia containing the tree's seeds.

References

Floridata
A Guide to Field Identification-Trees of North America; C. Frank Brockman;1986

Keywords: southern magnolia, Mississippi state flower, pollinating beetles

About this Author

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

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Magnolia Flower Information

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