Species Factsheets
Magnolia virginiana
Sweetbay Magnolia
State Status: Pennsylvania Threatened (PT)
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Threatened (PT)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S2
Did You Know?
This species can be recognized by the blue-white underside of its leaves and lemon scented flowers.
Description
Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is a semi-evergreen tree that is often multistemmed and may grow to 20m tall, but in Pennsylvania is usually much smaller. The leaves are alternately arranged, thickish in texture, untoothed on the margin, noticeably whitish on the lower surface, elliptic in shape, and from 7.5-13cm long. The fragrant white flowers, appearing in May and June, are relatively large and showy, approximately 5-7.5cm wide. The fruit is a 5cm cone-like structure containing seeds that have a red or orange outer covering.
Rank Justification
Imperiled in the nation or state because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or state.
PABS
The PA Biological Survey (PABS) considers sweetbay magnolia to be a species of special concern, based on the few occurrences that have been recently confirmed, its limited state range, and its wetland habitat. It has a PA legal rarity status and a PABS suggested rarity status of Threatened. About twenty populations, most with few individuals, have been documented in the state.
Habitat
It occurs in wetlands, particularly swamps and seepy woodlands.
Survey Dates
Flowers late May - June
Distribution
In Pennsylvania, it represents a southerly species and has been documented in several southeastern counties.
Threats
Excessive deer browse may be threat in some locations.
Management
The viability of populations of sweetbay magnolia and its habitat type will be enhanced by creating buffers around wetlands, controlling invasive species, and protecting the hydrology of the wetland and its surroundings. Populations of sweet bay magnolia occurring west of the Coastal Plain in the state have significance for plant geography and possibly for genetic diversity.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/magnolia-virginiana/
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
