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| Star Magnolia: Blossom | ||||||||||||||
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| Magnolia stellata |
Star Magnolia, Magnolia stellata is a slow growing shrub or small tree native to Japan with large showy white or pink flowers in early spring before the appearance of the leaves. It is very closely related to Kobushi magnolia (M. kobus), and is treated by many authors as a variety or even a cultivar of that; it is however accepted as a distinct species in the monograph cited below.
It is a common ornamental in Europe and southeastern North America. Spring frosts or freezes can damage the blossoms. The leaves open bronze-green, turning to deep green as they mature, and yellow before dropping in the fall. The shrub prefers deep acidic soil.
Hunt, D. (ed). 1998. Magnolias and their allies. International Dendrology Society & Magnolia Society.
ISBN 0-9517234-8-0