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Magnolia denudata

Common name:	Lily Tree	Family:	Magnoliaceae
Author:	Desr.	Botanical references:	11, 109, 200
Synonyms:	Magnolia heptapeta ((Buch-Hoz.)Dandy.), Magnolia conspicua (Salisb.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - E. and S. China.
Habitat:	Found in thickets, the trees are often cut down and sprouting from the base[109]. Forests at elevations of 500 - 1000 metres[266].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	M. yulan[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Haku-Mokuren [E], Hou T'Ao [E], Hsin I [E], Mu Pi [E], P'Ao [E], Ying Ch'Un [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	denudata = naked; nuda = bare; uda = moist;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Magnoliales. Magnolia family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	China; India

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 10m by 10m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Canopy, Secondary.

Edible Uses

Condiment.

The flowers, after the calyx has been removed, are pickled and used for flavouring rice[183].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Anodyne; Antifungal; Astringent; Carminative; Cytotoxic; Diaphoretic; Hypotensive; Sedative; Tonic; Uterine tonic.

Tonic[177].
The flower buds and the seeds are carminative and diaphoretic[218].
The flower buds are antifungal, astringent, cytotoxic, hypotensive and a uterie stimulant[279]. They are used in Korea in the treatment of headaches, nasal obstruction and sinusitis[279]. They are picked in early spring, dried and then used in Chinese medicine to clear the nasal passages[177].
The plant is anodyne and sedative[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture[1]. Succeeds in an acid or neutral peaty soil in sun or part shade[184]. Tolerates alkaline soils so long as they are deep and rich in humus[188]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[200]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[200].
A very ornamental tree[1], it is hardy to about -20°c when dormant[184] but plants can be excited into early growth by mild winters and the flowers are then liable to be killed by frost[11]. The flowers, which begin to be produced when the plant is quite young, are deliciously scented[245].
The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[182].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame[200]. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Layering in early spring[200].

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The flowers are deliciously scented[245].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Magnolia conspicua (a possible synonym).

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.

References for the family Magnoliaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[109] Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Details of the palnts collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Gives some habitats. Not for the casual reader.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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