sweet bay magnolia

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

12-20 ft. tall
10-20 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding, Salt Exposure

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Cold moist stratify seeds for 60 days. Cuttings can be taken from semi-hardwood in summer.

Plant Planting Notes

Provide up to 20 ft spacing.

Plants/Diseases

May become chlorotic in alkaline soils. Occasionally infested by scale or weevils. Moderately susceptible to leaf spot.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds

Leaves

Leaves alternate, elliptical, lanceolate, or oblong with entire margins. Undersides of leaves are silver/green.

Flowers

Three inch, white solitary flowers that are cup-shaped and fragrant with 9-12 petals.

Fruit

Bright red aggregate fruits.

Bark

Bark is light brown to light gray with a smooth surface.

Toxicity

No known toxicity.

USDA Hardiness Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture

Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, Poorly Drained

Soil pH

Acidic (less than 6.0)

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Wet habitats such as bay forests, pocosins, and swamps.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the South Carolina coastal plain and sandhills. Uncommon to rare in the piedmont. Absent from the mountains.

Subspecies

Magnolia virginiana var. australis

Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana