History

• Members of the Magnoliaceae family date to nearly 95 million years ago. The earliest magnolia, the acuminata species, dates back 20 million years. Charles Plumier gave the genus its name, after botanist Pierre Magnol, in 1703. During the 18th and 19th centuries, botanists, finding unique magnolia specimens throughout the world, assembled the modern-day genus information.
  
  

Types

• Although there are more than 150 different types of magnolia, an adequate cross section can be made out of four representatives: bigleaf (Magnolia macrophylla), cucumber (Magnolia acuminata), star (Magnolia stellata) and southern (Magnolia grandiflora).
  
  

Features

• The average height and leaf length of each type can differ greatly. The southern can reach an average height of between 60 to 80 feet, the star grows to be 15 to 20 feet, the cucumber can reach heights of 50 to 80 feet, and the bigleaf can grow to 30 to 40 feet. Fittingly, the bigleaf has large leaves, averaging 12 to 30 inches in length. The cucumber's leaves can reach a length of 6 to 12 inches, the southern from 5 to 10 inches, and the star between 2 to 5 inches. Leaf color for all species is green to dark green in the summer, and becomes yellow to orange in the fall. Each type also produces flowers, which are similar in size (1 1/2 to 3 inches wide) and color (white to whitish-yellow).
  
  

Climate and Habitat

• All magnolia types can thrive in climates supporting full sun to partial shade. The cucumber is found in the northeast to the southeast of North America. The bigleaf can be found from Nebraska toward the southern and eastern coasts of North America. The southern grows predominately in Arkansas, Texas, Georgia and Florida, while the star is found in the same states, with the addition of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee.
  
  

Positive Aspects

• The bigleaf, star and southern can withstand major pest infestation and diseases. The production of large, evergreen trees and flowers make all magnolias popular choices for parks and golf courses.
  
  

Negative Aspects

• The bigleaf does not thrive in an urban environment, and its branches will fracture and break in wind storms. The cucumber has thin bark, which can be damaged by metal equipment, such as shovels and garden rakes. The cucumber can contract diseases caused by fungal growth. Fungicide is a treatment, but a local nursery should be consulted first.