Saucer Magnolia

Saucer Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangiana

Magnoliaceae

▲ young tree

▲ ▼ mature flowering trees

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ flowers

▲ trunk and bark

Location on Missouri State University campus: west end of Ellis Hall, and north side of Grand St. underpass

Magnolia x soulangiana: Saucer Magnolia, Tulip Tree

• leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, with entire margins, obovate 3-6" long and 2 as wide; dark green above and pubescent below
• stems brown, glabrous with gray lenticels and lemony odor when crushed; terminal flower buds large, pointed, fuzzy
• bark smooth and dark gray
• grows 20-30' tall and wide forming a rounded to pyramidal shape with maturity; usually low-branching or multi-trunked
• flowers are large, white to pinkish and tulip-like and appear in early to mid spring before the leaves can be very spectacular; slight frost will turn flowers brown, however; prunes on previous season's wood
• prefers full sun to light shade; needs moist, well-drained, high organic matter soil; prefers acid soil; best to avoid low or frost-pocket areas for best flowering
• medium to fast growth rate