Magnolia spp.
- Height: up to 10 m depending on the species, exceptions up to 20 m
- Trunk: initially smooth, brown-grey bark, later finely fissured, single- or multi-stemmed, often also shrub-like
- Crown: broad and spreading, rounded and densely branched, pyramidal growth
- Leaves: alternate, obovate to elliptical with a short tip, leathery, entire margin, up to approx. 20 cm long, upper surface dull fresh green, lower surface lighter, short-stalked
- Buds: large, densely hairy
- Flowers: depending on the species, large, upright, star-shaped to tulip-shaped, conspicuous flowers, white/pink/red/purple/yellow, terminal on branches, appearing before the leaves emerge, in April/May
- Fruits/Seeds: cone-like capsules that open when ripe, containing red seeds
- Other: over 200 species, including deciduous and evergreen varieties; one of the most common species is the tulip magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)
Photos: Dorit Zimmermann (1), BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (2,3,4)