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Scientific Name:
Magnolia stellata
Pronunciation:
mag-NO-lee-uh stel-LAY-tuh
Common Name:
star magnolia
Family Name:
Magnoliaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Tree multi-stem, compact, bushy; smaller in habit/size/leaves, branches lower than other magnolias; leaves <10cm, buds densely silver pubescent; flowers star-like, <13cm across, most with 25-30 strap-like, white tepals, first magnolia to flower (M. 'Royal Star' has slightly pinkish flower buds which open up to 2 weeks later than species). Winter ID: twigs with grey pubescence; flower buds mostly 1-2cm long with dense silver hairs.

Habit:
Spreading, Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical, Round
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
2 - 3m
Mature Spread:
2 - 3m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade, Sheltered
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Specimen plant, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Google. Images shown or cultivars on campus may include M. 'Royal Star' and M. 'Pinkie'.

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow, Brown
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblanceolate, Obovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Entire

Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
11+
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink (AGB: Magnolia stellata 'Rosea')
Flower Scent:
Fragrant, Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr
Additional Info:
Many simple pistils

Fruit Type:
Aggregate fruit, Follicle
Fruit Colour:
Orange, Green, Red (Fruit aggregate pink-red before turning brown as the follicles open to reveal their single orange-red seed)
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct

Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
U-shaped
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root
Propagation:
Hardwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Anthracnose, Dieback, Fungal leaf spot, Scale insects (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
  • Level 3 Apprenticeship
  • CLT Training
Location(s):
  • (AGB)  Acer Griseum Bed : q.1
  • (LTW)  Langley Township Walk
  • (MCF)  Main Courtyard Fountain : cv. Royal Star (removed?)
  • (NRY)  NuRserY : cv. Royal Star
Location Map