Japanese Big-leaf-magnolia
Magnolia obovata
Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae)
Least concern
Great and powerful
Everything is great about the Japanese big-leaf magnolia, which is also known as the Japanese whitebark magnolia. The pale pinkish flowers that become fragrant in the evening have petals of 20 cm long. After the flowering season dark red fruits begin to grow, which can weigh up to 1kg. The leaves of this 30 m high tree can reach 40 cm in length and 20 cm in width. In Asia these leaves are used as a plate on which food can be prepared.
The Japanese big-leaf magnolia is native to Japan and here it is a symbol of strength. Its wood is hard and is used to make woodcuts and also utensils. It is also used to make the hilts (handles) of samurai swords. Tea is made from the grey bark and seeds and used as a cure for various ailments.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Belmonte Arboretum.
The young leaves and flower buds are boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Older leaves are powdered and sprinkled on food as a flavouring. Whole dried leaves can be filled with 'miso' (a fermented soya), leeks, daikon (mild winter radish) and shitake and then cooked on a barbecue. The aroma of the leaves permeates the 'miso' mixture.
The flowers are very fragrant.
Magnolia obovata is cultivated in gardens as an ornamental tree. The wood is strong, light and easy to work, and sought after by craftsmen for making engravings, utensils and musical instruments.
Details
| Description: | Tree, up to 30 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Japan, kuril islands |
| Habitat: | Forests in mountains. at sea level up to 1,800 m in altitude. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
| Hardiness: | -4 - 5 f (hardy - very cold winter) |
| Flowering period: | Juni |
| Flower color: | White, creme |
| Notes on flowers: | Creamy-white flowers with carmine red stamens. |
| Fruiting period: | September - oktober |
| At its best: | Juni |