Big-Leaf Magnolia (MushroomExpert.Com)

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Big-Leaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)

[ Trees > Hardwoods > Magnolias . . . ] Forest Type: Appalachian Cove

Range

Leaves 20-30 inches long, heart-shaped at the base, silvery underneath; rare; growing as an understory tree in scattered southeastern locations; producing large cones.

by Michael Kuo

Habitat: Typically an understory tree in valleys and moist spots; rare, occurring in localized pockets within its range.

Stature: 30-40 feet high; to 1 foot in diameter; appearing scrappy and top heavy.

Leaves: 20-30 inches long; with heart-shaped bases; dark green above; silvery below; with a prominent midrib.

Bark: Thin; light gray; finely scaly.

Cones: 2-5 inches long; bright rose colored when ripe.

Sources: Preston, R. J. (1989). North American Trees. Ames: Iowa State UP; Peattie, D. C. (1991). A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Frequent Mushroom Associates:

Appalachian cove forests are rich in fungi, and many mushrooms should be expected in the vicinity of this tree--though I am unaware of any mushroom that is specifically associated with Big-Leaf Magnolia, with the possible exception of Strobilurus species, which fruit exclusively on pine cones and magnolia cones.

Further Online Information:

Big-Leaf Magnolia USFS Fact Sheet (PDF file)
Big-Leaf Magnolia at eNature

MushroomExpert.Com contributor Bob Zordani in eastern Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest

Magnolia macrophylla

Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2005, August). Big-leaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla). Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/magnolia_macrophylla.html