Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
Estimated Height at Pickup: 5-6’, 3 gal
A manageable native magnolia with large, fragrant white flowers! Hosts the caterpillars of eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtail butterflies. Well tolerant of clay and boggy soils. This native of southern Indiana adapts well to central Indiana, and will likely continue to do so as the climate shifts.
Pollination: Likely self pollinating.
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet Mesic, Mesic
Soil Type: Loam, Sandy Loam, Clay Loam
Height: 10’-20’
Width: 10’-20’
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May-Jun
Fruit: Multiple seeds are arranged in an ovoid cluster that turns red when mature.
Fall Color: -
Root Type: Branching
Notable Wildlife Interactions: Hosts some swallowtail butterflies such as the eastern tiger swallowtail and spicebush swallowtail. Seeds are eaten by squirrels and birds such as turkey bobwhite, and towhee. Likely browsed by deer, and is a favorite food of beaver.
Notes: Roots were used historically to bait beaver traps.