Height: To 40 feet, but generally smaller
Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous
Lifespan: Up to about 100 years in rare cases
Fall Foliage: Drab yellow to brown; not very attractive
Range: Scattered locations in the southern Appalachian region, as well as a disjunct population in Arkansas
Typical Habitat: Cool, damp, sheltered coves and riparian areas
The Umbrella Magnolia: Lending a Tropical Feel to Temperate Forests
The umbrella magnolia is certainly an attention-grabbing species. Indeed, it looks incredibly out of place growing alongside sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua), beeches (Fagus grandifolia) and other common associates.
Unfortunately, it’s not a terribly common tree anywhere, though it may be abundant in specific locations. This species only grows well in sheltered coves, as the large leaves quickly become shredded from hard rain or high winds. This is often apparent during post-storm strolls through forests harboring these trees.
Umbrella Magnolia Identification: Tips & Tricks
The umbrella magnolia’s leaves, which are clustered at the ends of branches, make it easy to recognize this tree as a magnolia. And the leave’s gigantic size (occasionally reaching 24 inches) makes it easy to distinguish from most other magnolias, save for the bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla).
However, it is relatively easy to distinguish from the bigleaf magnolia by simply noted the leaf bases: In the umbrella magnolia, the leaf bases are “V” shaped, while the bigleaf magnolia produces leaf bases that are shaped like the letter “B” (they’re sometimes described as being “eared” or “lobed” at the base).
The Umbrella Magnolia: Additional Information
Need more information about these interesting trees? Check out some of our favorite umbrella magnolia resources:
- Missouri Botanical Garden: General info about the umbrella magnolia tree along with an assortment of photographs.
- North Carolina State Extension: A great resource that includes photographs, basic information, and a handy quick-reference table.
- The Morton Arboretum: Primarily basic information about the species, but it also includes a variety of large, high-quality photographs of the plant’s anatomical structures.
