We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Magnolia acuminata - L.

Common Name Cucumber Tree, Cucumber Magnolia
Family Magnoliaceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich woods, especially in uplands[43]. Low mountain slopes and the rocky banks of streams[82].
Range Eastern N. America - New York to Georgia, west to Alabama and Ontario.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Magnolia acuminata Cucumber Tree, Cucumber Magnolia


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bruce_Marlin
Magnolia acuminata Cucumber Tree, Cucumber Magnolia
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Thesupermat

 

Translate this page:

Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Pyramidal, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Magnolia acuminata is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Beetles.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiperiodic  Aromatic  Diaphoretic  Laxative  Malaria  Stimulant  Tonic

A tea made from the bark is antiperiodic, aromatic, mildly diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant, tonic[4, 222]. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria[222]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach ache and cramps[257]. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit[222]. A hot infusion of the bark has been snuffed to treat sinus problems and has also been held in the mouth to treat toothaches[257]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. It does not store well so stocks should be renewed annually[238]. A tea made from the fruit is a tonic, used in the treatment of general debility and was formerly esteemed in the treatment of stomach ailments[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Rootstock  Wood

The roots are very disease-resistant and are used as a rootstock for less vigorous species[226]. Wood - finely grained, soft, light, durable, not strong[4, 46, 61, 82, 171, 229, 235]. It weighs 29lb per cubic foot[235]. It takes a very good polish and is used for boxes, crates, flooring, cabinet making etc[4, 46, 61, 171, 229].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Firewood, Pest tolerant, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen. Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture[1]. Tolerates limey soils[200] so long as they are deep and rich in humus[188]. The branches are brittle and so a sheltered position is required[200]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[200]. Plants are hardy to about -28°c[200]. A fairly fast-growing tree, it takes about 25 - 30 years before it first produces flowers and lives about 125 - 150 years in the wild[229]. The sub-species M. acuminata cordata begins flowering at an earlier age[245]. Good seed crops are produced about every 3 - 5 years[229]. The flowers have a delicate perfume[245]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[182]. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario (south)), United States (Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri (southeast), Illinois, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (northwest), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Liriodendron tulipiferaTulip Tree, Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar, Canary WhitewoodTree30.0 4-9 MLMHNM123
Magnolia campbellii Tree20.0 7-10  LMHSNM002
Magnolia denudataLily Tree, Yulan MagnoliaTree10.0 5-9 SLMHSNM12 
Magnolia dodecapetalaBwapen mawonTree35.0 10-12 SLMHNM004
Magnolia grandifloraSouthern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Large-flowered Magnolia, Southern MagnoliaTree10.0 6-10 MLMHSNM223
Magnolia hypoleucaWhitebark MagnoliaTree15.0 5-9 MLMHSNM222
Magnolia kobusKobus magnolia, Northern Japanese MagnoliaTree12.0 4-7 MLMHSNM112
Magnolia liliifloraMu-Lan, Woody Orchid, Lily MagnoliaShrub3.0 4-9 MLMHSNM03 
Magnolia macrophyllaBigleaf MagnoliaTree10.0 5-8 SLMHSNM012
Magnolia officinalisHou PoTree20.0 7-10  LMHSNM032
Magnolia stellataStar MagnoliaShrub5.0 4-8 SLMHSNM10 
Magnolia virginianaLaurel Magnolia, SweetbayTree10.0 4-8 SLMHSNM132
Michelia figoBanana Shrub, MicheliaShrub5.0 8-10 MLMHSNM10 
Schisandra chinensisMagnolia Vine, Wu Wei ZiClimber9.0 4-8 MLMHFSM452

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

doris harris   Fri Nov 30 2007

where can i buy the bark for tea for my own use.( kidney stones)

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Magnolia acuminata  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.