Magnolia tripetala

Magnolia tripetala, commonely called Umbrella magnolia or simply Umbrella-tree, is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States in the Appalachian Mountains region. Umbrella magnolias have large shiny leaves 30-50 cm long, spreading from stout stems. In a natural setting the Umbrella magnolia can grow 15 m tall. The flowers are large, 15-25 cm diameter, with six to nine creamy-white petals and a large red style, which later develops into a red fruit 10 cm long, containing several red seeds. These trees are attractive and easy to grow. The leaves turn yellow in the autumn. The leaves are clustered at the tip of the stem with very short internodes. The tree has reddish cone shaped fruit, is shade-tolerant, has shallow spreading roots, and is pollinated by beetles.

Magnolia tripetala

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KU Botanical garden, autumn 2012