Magnolia delavayi
| Chinese Evergreen Magnolia | |
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| Species: | M. delavayi
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| Magnolia delavayi | |
Chinese Evergreen Magnolia or Delavay's Magnolia (Magnolia delavayi) is a species of Magnolia native to southern China, occurring in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan at 1,500-2,800 m altitude.
It is a small evergreen tree 8-15 m in height with pale to dark yellowish-brown bark. The leaves are oblong-ovate, 10-20 cm (rarely to 32 cm) long and 5-10 cm (rarely to 20 cm) broad, tough, leathery, with a 5-7 cm petiole. The flowers are fragrant, cup-shaped, 15-25 cm broad, with nine thick, creamy white to pink tepals; they appear from July to August.
It is the city tree of Chongqing. This plant is usually grown for its foliage. It is uncommon though increasing in cultivation elsewhere; a recently selected red-flowered form is becoming popular in cultivation.
References and external links
- Hunt, D. (ed). (1998). Magnolias and their allies. International Dendrology Society and Magnolia Society. ISBN 0-9517234-8-0
- Flora of China: Magnoliaceae (draft account)
- Photos of flowers and foliage