Magnolia denudata

Yulan magnolia
File:Yulan 1.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Magnoliaceae
Genus:	Magnolia
Subgenus:	M. subg. Yulania
Section:	M. sect. Yulania subsect. Yulania
Species:	M. denudata
Binomial name
Magnolia denudata Desr.
Synonyms
Yulania denudata (Desr.) D. L. Fu

Magnolia denudata, known as the lilytree or Yulan magnolia (simplified Chinese: 玉兰花; traditional Chinese: 玉蘭花; pinyin: yùlánhuā; literally: "jade orchid/lily"), is native to central and eastern China. It has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD. Its flowers were regarded as a symbol of purity in the Tang Dynasty and it was planted in the grounds of the Emperor's palace. It is the official city flower of Shanghai.

Description

Magnolia denudata is a rather low, rounded, thickly branched, and coarse-textured tree to 30 feet (9.1 m) tall. The leaves are ovate, bright green, 15 cm long and 8 cm wide. Bark is a coarse dark gray. The 10–16 cm white flowers that emerge from early to late spring, while beautiful and thick with a citrus-lemon fragrance, are prone to browning if subjected to frost.

File:Opatija019.jpg

View of mature Magnolia denudata
- Botanical Park, Opatija, Croatia

Cultivation

This plant is used as an ornamental tree in gardens. It is similar to other magnolias in that it likes rich, moist soil and should be planted in a location where it is protected from elemental extremes.

Further reading

• Russell, Tony & Catherine Cutler (Hermes House 2004) Trees, an Illustrated Identifier and Encyclopedia Aness Publishing.

External links

• Photos of flowers