Star Magnolia

Magnolia stellata

Magnoliaceae

▲ tree in summer

▲▼ flowering trees

▲▼ flowers

▲leaves 

Location on Missouri State University campus: west side of Siceluff Hall

Magnolia stellata: Star Magnolia

·         leaves alternate, deciduous, simple with obovate to oblong obovate with entire margins; 2-4" long and 2 as wide; dark green above and light green and glabrous below

·         stems slender, brown, glabrous and more closely branching than saucer magnolia

·         bark is smooth, gray

·         grows 15-20' tall, often more of a large shrub with many low-branches and/or root sprouts; usually oval or rounded form

·         flowers are white, fragrant with many petals appearing in late winter to early spring before leaves emerge— one of the earliest flowering shrubs/trees; form on previous season’s wood

·         prefers same conditions as saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)

·         slow growth rate