Magnolia

MFA Acc. #: 47.1169

Description

A large family of ornamental, evergreen trees of the genus Magnolia, such as Magnolia grandiflora, that is native to Central and North America. Magnolia produces a heavy, durable wood that is used for boxes, furniture, and millwork.

Magnolia tree (Magnolia virginiana)

Synonyms and Related Terms

laurel; sweet bay; southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora); bull bay; Magnolien (Deut.); Magnolie (Dan.); Magnolia (Esp., Fr., It., Ned., Sven.); Magnólia (Port.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Medium tree growing to 25 m with pyrimidal crown. Wood desnity = 35 pcf. Bark=brown with flat plates or scales. Leaves=oval (8-12 cm) and pinnately veined, waxy top surface. Fruit=aggregate of follicles turning red when mature in fall.

Additional Images

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  Silk dyed with Magnolia bark; Uemera Dye Archive

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  Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

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  Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

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  Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Resources and Citations

• Hardwood Manufacturers Institute, Memphis, Tenn.: air-dry weight = 35 pcf

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "magnolia." 19 Oct. 2004 .

• Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937

• Virginia Tech Dendrology website at www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 8, 2005)

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia (accessed Dec. 15, 2004)