by Priyanwada Atapattu & Aruni Sabina
Magnolias, especially the Southern Magnolia, are an excellent choice for city trees due to their beauty, shade, and various potential uses. However, their large size and shallow roots need to be considered when selecting them for urban environments. The Magnolia genus comprises about 210 to 340 species, classified under the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. Their natural distribution is disjunct, with a primary center in East, South, and Southeast Asia and a secondary center in Eastern North America, Central America, the West Indies, and some parts of South America.
The Ancient Legacy of Magnolias
Magnolia is an ancient genus, with fossilized specimens of Magnolia acuminata dating back 20 million years. Fossils belonging to the Magnoliaceae family date as far back as 95 million years. These trees evolved before the emergence of bees and are believed to have developed to encourage pollination by beetles. One ancestral characteristic of Magnolias is that the flower bud is enclosed in a bract instead of sepals, and the perianth parts are undifferentiated, forming tepals rather than distinct sepals and petals.
Symbolism and Significance
Magnolias hold deep cultural significance in different parts of the world. The magnolia was designated the state flower of Mississippi in 1900. In the United States, magnolias symbolize stability, while in China, they represent beauty and gentleness. Due to their elegant form and fragrant blossoms, they are often planted as ornamental trees in cities and gardens.
Botanical Characteristics
Magnolias are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs, known for their large, fragrant flowers that appear in shades of white, pink, purple, green, or yellow. In many deciduous species, blooms emerge before the leaves in early spring, creating a striking visual appeal. The trees produce cone-like fruits in the autumn, and their flowers are hermaphroditic, with numerous carpels and stamens arranged in a spiral fashion. Pollinating beetles can sometimes damage the flowers' carpels.
Magnolia’s Suitability for Urban Environments
Selecting the right tree species for an urban setting is crucial to ensuring a tree’s ability to thrive and deliver ecosystem services. Inappropriate species or poor-quality trees will not develop to their full potential. A study evaluating seven species of Magnolia for drought tolerance measured their water potential at leaf turgor loss. Magnolia virginiana is found to be the most drought-tolerant species, while Magnolia x loebneri “Leonard Messel” is the most sensitive to drought. However, in general, magnolias are drought-sensitive compared to other plant groups. Consequently, their use should be prioritized for gardens and parks rather than street plantings, where drought stress is more prevalent.
Magnolia in Landscaping and Urban Green Spaces
Magnolias, also known as lotus magnolia or large-flowered magnolia, are widely cultivated in regions with warm, moist, and slightly acidic soil. In China, they are commonly planted south of the Yangtze River. These trees feature dark green, thick leaves, white lotus-like flowers measuring 7.5 to 10 cm in radius, and red fruit kernels. They have a pleasant fragrance, and exhibit resilience against wind, dust, pollution, pests, and diseases. Magnolias also hold medicinal value, further enhancing their significance.
Due to their ornamental qualities, magnolias are frequently used for urban greening projects. Their aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits make them an excellent choice for landscape configurations in parks and residential areas.
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මෙම ශාක ශ්රීලංකා වේ වැවෙනවාද.?මේ වගේ මල් සහිත කුඩා ශාක ගෙවතු වල දැකල තියෙනවා.
However it's a good explanation for like us.
Bandula senavirathna; ඔව් ලංකාවේ විශේෂ 2ක් වගේ වවනවා. USA, Europe වලට හදුන්වා දීලා තියෙන්නෙ ආසියාතික රටවල් වලින්
Is it available in sri lanka
Narmada; yes it is
Very thorough explanation. Attractive and fun to read as well