Magnolia grandiflora
Description: The Claudia Wannamaker Magnolia is a large evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape that can grow up to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It is shade tolerant, making it an excellent addition to both residential and commercial landscapes.
Twig/Bark: The bark is dark gray and smooth on young trees, developing light furrows and a scaly texture with age. The twigs and buds are brown and covered with rusty to tawny hairs, adding to the tree’s visual interest.
Leaves: This tree features evergreen leaves that are widely elliptic in shape. The leaf blades are thick and leathery, with an upper surface that is dark green and glossy, while the lower surface is a lighter green. This foliage provides year-round appeal.
Flower/Fruit: It produces showy and fragrant flowers around May. These solitary blooms, located at the tips of twigs, can reach up to 30 cm in diameter and consist of up to 12 large creamy-white tepals. In the fall, the tree bears cone-like aggregates of follicles that can be up to 10 cm long, each containing bright red seeds that add visual interest during the autumn season.
Habitat: This species thrives in dry-mesic to mesic upland forests, riparian forests, and fencerows. It is often found in urban areas or near old homesites. Native to the outer portions of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, from North Carolina to Eastern Texas, the Claudia Wannamaker Magnolia has become increasingly common in the wild in Arkansas, enhancing the local landscape with its striking features.