Japanese Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia obovata) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese bigleaf magnolia is a tall forest tree from Japan with huge, strongly scented flowers that open in late spring after the leaves are out. It isn't native to the US, but it's planted in gardens and arboreta and is hardy in USDA zones 5–8. It's also called Japanese whitebark magnolia or Japanese cucumber tree.

Appearance

Growth form: A deciduous tree up to about 100 ft (30 m) tall with slate-gray bark. Young trees can look open and gangly.
Leaves: Large leaves, widest toward the tip, 8–15 in (20–38 cm) long, sometimes larger, crowded near the branch tips so they look like they grow in rings; the undersides are bluish-white.
Flowers: Upright, cup-shaped flowers 5.5–8 in (14–20 cm) across with milky-white inner and crimson stamens, and a heavy, fruity scent.
Flowering time: May to June in Japan; in cultivation, late spring to early summer.
Fruit: A bright red, cone-like fruit cluster 5–8 in (12–20 cm) long.

Look-alikes

umbrella magnoliaMagnolia tripetala

Umbrella magnolia is usually smaller and shrubbier, with even larger leaves and unpleasant-smelling flowers, while Japanese bigleaf magnolia's flowers smell sweet and fruity.

Why they get mixed upBoth have huge leaves clustered like an umbrella at the branch tips. The two have even been crossed to make a garden cultivar.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: moist forests
gardens
arboreta
Range: Native to Japan (Hokkaido to Kyushu) and the southern Kuril Islands, from about 330 to 5,900 ft (100–1,800 m). Not native to the US.
Preferred conditions: Grows in moist mixed broadleaf forests.