Hello all, we just moved from North Van to Coquitlam and found ourselves with a lovely if neglected garden. While most of the plants have proved readily identifiable, this tree (which I have seen before in other neighbourhoods) remains a mystery. When we arrived in May, it had BIG droopy white blooms. Now it has developed many tiny pods (see inset in image) that blacken after dropping off. Thanks for any help, Michael.
Looks like a Magnolia seiboldii aka Oyama Magnolia, fragrant white flowers with a red center, may still have the odd bloom on it.
Paul, I'm not sure it is M. sieboldii, see attached image of same. Different leaf shape, the leaves do not curl up, it is not as glossy and the underside of the leaves are downy.
Thanks gentlemen for your suggestions. Our leaves do seem different from the ones in Chris's image. They are quite elongate and leathery. The flowers on this tree were, as I say, big and droopy and rather fragile-looking, pure white, five-petalled if I remember. Wish I had photographed one, but you know how it is when you've just moved - with a very active 1-year old! :) Michael.
The pods though - I see them in Chris's image - do look similar, I guess this is a typical Magnolia feature? Michael.
I think this is it! I started Googling for "Magnolia flowers" and came across this image that has a solid resemblance to ours (at least in memory). Forget what I said about 5-petalled, that was definitely a false memory. cheers, Michael.
Sure looks like... It looks like some kind of Citus Tree doesn't it? I would swear it was a blood orange tree if it were not for the pods. When does it flower and what do the staimen (sp) look like? Kirk
Michael, the seed pods are typical of the genus and aid in identification. Images of M. sieboldii flower and mature seedpod.
Magnolia stellata Magnolia stellata Picture of leaves... http://www.salisbury.edu/arboretum/Magnolia/MaSt/MaStLV.html Good decription and pictures of leaves, flowers and more mature seed capsule... http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/magno_st.cfm
My gosh raichael, that's it! I wonder how old ours is, because let me assure you, it is no shrub, but a solid tree at least 8 feet tall with a big full crown. I haven't tape-measured it or anything but I couldn't get both hands around the trunk. The whole neighbourhood is only 30 years old though..."slow-growing"? Maybe it was transplanted here. Thanks all for your reponses, it is a wonderful tree and I only wish I could see the mature seed pods but I can't imagine it's being pollinated, thus the green seed pods dropping and turning black (very quickly!). best, Michael.
Hi Michael: If you can provide an image of the entire plant that can help us for now. I think you will have to show us an image of an actual flower next Spring for us to know for sure whether this deciduous Magnolia is a Stellata or not. You can always post to this forum then. Just bookmark this thread for future reference. There are many forms of deciduous Magnolias that many people even in the nursery trade and the most knowledgeable people in Magnolias have not ever seen. For right now this Magnolia may indeed be considered to be a Stellata but this plant can be determined later very easily to be another species of Magnolia altogether. To better identify a Magnolia, the plant almost has to be seen in bloom. Jim
