Magnolia delavayi
| Chinese Evergreen Magnolia | |
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| A 1909 illustration of M. delavayi | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Magnoliales |
| Family: | Magnoliaceae |
| Genus: | Magnolia |
| Subgenus: | M. subg. Magnolia |
| Section: | M. sect. Gwillimia subsect. Gwillimia |
| Species: | M. delavayi |
| Binomial name | |
| Magnolia delavayi Franch. |
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Magnolia delavayi is a species of Magnolia native to southern China, occurring in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan at 1,500-2,800 m altitude. It is known by the common names of Chinese Evergreen Magnolia or Delavay's Magnolia.
[edit] Description
Magnolia delavayi is a small evergreen tree 8–15 metres (26–49 ft) in height with pale to dark yellowish-brown bark. The leaves are oblong-ovate, 10-20 cm (rarely to 32 cm) long and 5-10 cm (rarely to 20 cm) broad, tough, leathery, with a 5-7 cm petiole.
The flowers are fragrant, cup-shaped, 15-25 cm broad, with nine thick, creamy white to pink tepals; they appear from July to August.
[edit] Cultivation
Magnolia delavayi is grown as an ornamental tree for its evergreen foliage as well as flowers. It is uncommon though increasing in cultivation elsewhere, such as in California. A recently selected red-flowered form is becoming popular in cultivation.
Magnolia delavayi is the city tree of Chongqing.
[edit] References and external links
- Hunt, D. (ed). (1998). Magnolias and their allies. International Dendrology Society and Magnolia Society. ISBN 0-9517234-8-0
- Flora of China: Magnoliaceae (draft account)
- Photos of flowers and foliage
