Southern Magnolia

Note: There are cultivars, such as "Little Gem" sold in nurseries that originate from non-Florida stock (Little Gem is a North Carolina tree). Suitability for use in Florida will vary.



Specimen tree. Can also be used in a woodland setting.

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.



Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).

Fruits are eaten (and spread) by  squirrels, opossums, and birds including quail, and turkey.

Slope forest, dry-mesic to mesic upland hardwood forest.

• Showy flowers, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance
• Beetles are the primary pollinators. The flowers have a hardened carpel to avoid damage by their gnawing mandibles as they feed. The beetles are after the protein-rich pollen. Because the beetles are interesting in pollen and pollen alone, the flowers mature in a way that ensures cross pollination. The male parts mature first and offer said pollen. The female parts of the flower are second to mature. They produce no reward for the beetles but are instead believed to mimic the male parts, ensuring that the beetles will spend some time exploring and thus effectively pollinating the flowers (In Defense of Plants blog).