Biond’s magnolia or Chinese willow leaf magnolia

'Silky buds and white flowers'

Biond’s magnolia is a deciduous tree, up to 12 m in height with a smooth, light grey bark, silky flower buds with fragrant flowers appearing in March. The wood is used, amongst other things, for making furniture, and the flowers for their etheric oil. It is also used as an ornamental tree. However the main use is medicinal using the flower buds. The herbal medicine Xin Yi Hua is derived from the buds of magnolias, including Magnolia biondii, and has traditionally been a popular medicine in Asiatic countries. It is used for headaches, fever and allergies. The buds contain the so-called alkaloids and (neo)lignans used to stimulate the central nervous system and as an anti-inflammatory, respectively, and a possible cancer treatment. Magnoli biondii is closely related to the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) that only grows in Japan. The local Chinese name means ‘hope for spring’ because the tree flowers in the late winter.

Ecology and habitat

Biondi’s magnolia is the most northerly growing Magnolia in China (Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu en Shaanxi). It grows in woods and fields between 400 and 2000 m above sea level.

Threat

According to the Red List of China it has a ‘Vulnerable’ status but in the IUCN-report for the magnolia family, Magnolia biondii is registered as ‘DD” (data deficient). This is not a category of ‘threat’ but reflects the fact that, at this time, information concerning its size of habitat and population numbers is lacking. Therefore further research is necessary. Being targeted for its medicinal properties could be a real threat.