Most people in the south are very aware of the beautiful Southern Magnolia with its intoxicating aroma and large white leathery flower. However, few people know about it's equally beautiful Asiatic descendent the "Jane" Magnolia.
I recently had a friend call me and ask, "what is that beautiful tree blooming everywhere with the bright pink flowers?" It is technically not spring yet, so I knew exactly what she was talking about. In this area there is a tree that blooms before most others, in fact while all the other trees are not even budding, this tree opens up with massive pink blooms almost overnight with no leaves at all. To all those tired of the dreary winter days, the sight of this tree can awaken the "spring gardener" like a whiff of smelling salts (yes, I had to look that one up...you know the stuff bad guys give to wake up fainting people in the movies!) It is the Magnolia...more specifically the Asiatic variety the "Jane" Magnolia.
Even though the Southern Magnolia, the great great grandparent of the Asiatic Magnolia, with its large white flowers and movie heritage ( ie Steel Magnolias) was rumored to be native to the America's, it is actually one of the most primitive plants with fossilized records in Europe, Asia and America. It has an evolutionary history of over 100 million years ago. Not surprising, the earliest records focus on its medicinal properties. In Asia, the alluring smell was used to treat headaches and allergies. More recently, a 1985 study reports the potential use of this drug in the treatment of cancer. Another recent study found that tonics from the bark of Magnolia could lessen tremors in patients with Parkinsons disease.
However, the most fascinating feature to me is how it is pollinated. Most species are pollinated either naturally by wind or by a wingless beetle. Beetle pollinated flowers are usually large, leathery blooms and are characterized by more pollen and little nectar. In fact, even though it has the most amazing scent the magnolia has very little nectar. This would explain how the Magnolia was found in primitive times before winged insects or specifically bees.
The "Jane" Magnolia, which I have growing, was bred in the 1950's by the US National Arboretum as part of the "Little Girls". Each tree was names after a wife or daughter of the breeders. There are 8 varieties. They are characterized by their tulip-shaped flowers that are slender when compared to most magnolia blooms. It is a deep rich pinkish purple with a white center. The flowers open in late spring. This magnolia has a bushy habit but can be the height of a small tree at 10 to 15 feet. Jane is a multi-stemmed plant with good cold hardiness.
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| orginal american Southern Magnolia |
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| Jane Magnolia |
I recently had a friend call me and ask, "what is that beautiful tree blooming everywhere with the bright pink flowers?" It is technically not spring yet, so I knew exactly what she was talking about. In this area there is a tree that blooms before most others, in fact while all the other trees are not even budding, this tree opens up with massive pink blooms almost overnight with no leaves at all. To all those tired of the dreary winter days, the sight of this tree can awaken the "spring gardener" like a whiff of smelling salts (yes, I had to look that one up...you know the stuff bad guys give to wake up fainting people in the movies!) It is the Magnolia...more specifically the Asiatic variety the "Jane" Magnolia.
Even though the Southern Magnolia, the great great grandparent of the Asiatic Magnolia, with its large white flowers and movie heritage ( ie Steel Magnolias) was rumored to be native to the America's, it is actually one of the most primitive plants with fossilized records in Europe, Asia and America. It has an evolutionary history of over 100 million years ago. Not surprising, the earliest records focus on its medicinal properties. In Asia, the alluring smell was used to treat headaches and allergies. More recently, a 1985 study reports the potential use of this drug in the treatment of cancer. Another recent study found that tonics from the bark of Magnolia could lessen tremors in patients with Parkinsons disease.
However, the most fascinating feature to me is how it is pollinated. Most species are pollinated either naturally by wind or by a wingless beetle. Beetle pollinated flowers are usually large, leathery blooms and are characterized by more pollen and little nectar. In fact, even though it has the most amazing scent the magnolia has very little nectar. This would explain how the Magnolia was found in primitive times before winged insects or specifically bees.
The "Jane" Magnolia, which I have growing, was bred in the 1950's by the US National Arboretum as part of the "Little Girls". Each tree was names after a wife or daughter of the breeders. There are 8 varieties. They are characterized by their tulip-shaped flowers that are slender when compared to most magnolia blooms. It is a deep rich pinkish purple with a white center. The flowers open in late spring. This magnolia has a bushy habit but can be the height of a small tree at 10 to 15 feet. Jane is a multi-stemmed plant with good cold hardiness.
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