|  Native
to Japan, the Star Magnolia (Magnolia
stellata) is a small deciduous
tree, or sometimes considered a large shrub. The Star
Magnolia can be found growing in areas of Japan's largest
island, Honshu. It grows in moist areas, such as stream
beds, at elevations between 50 metres and 600 metres.
It has been brought to North America and now grows naturally
there as well.
The Star Magnolia is very slow growing,
but very large, reaching heights up to 20 feet tall
and when mature, it will be about 15 feet wide at the
top. When young, the Star Magnolia has an oval shape
to the foliage, upright of course, and turns into more
of a mound shape as it matures.
Star Magnolia Flowers
The Star Magnolia has large white or light pink star-shaped
flowers that bloom early in the growth cycle. Pink colored
magnolia flowers tend to change the hue of their coloration
from year to year depending on the temperature around
the flowering stage. The flowers will appear in the
spring before the leaves grow. Star Magnolia
flowers are about 3 to 4 inches wide, each
with 12 thin tepals,
and are slightly fragrant.
Star Magnolia Leaves
The leaves of the Star Magnolia have
an oblong shape, growing to 10 cm long and 4 cm wide.
They are greenish-bronze colored when young, but when
they mature, the leaves turn a dark green. In the fall
they turn a yellow color before falling off the tree.
Star Magnolia Fruit
The fruit of the Star Magnolia tree grows about 2 inches
long, and is a greenish-red in color. The fruit opens
in the early autumn season. The seeds inside are reddish-orange,
and are revealed by slits when the fruit opens. Often
the fruit will drop from the Star Magnolia before being
fully developed.
Other Star Magnolia Information
The bark on the trunk of the Star Magnolia
is a grayish-silver color, while growing branches appear
to have a chestnut brown color, and are shiny and smooth.
The Star Magnolia roots do not like being disturbed,
and they grow pretty close to the ground.
|
