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Magnolia plus

Did you know that the Magnolia has about 210 different species and has been traced back 20 million years. That is before bees! Back then, beetles were responsible for pollinating the flowers. Wikipedia claims the species goes back 95 million years.

Magnolia blossoms

The flower bud is enclosed in a bract rather than in sepals and the flower is harder and designed to protect itself from damage by the beetles.

Something unusual has happened to the tree in my back yard. Another tree has sprung up with the magnolia. The two have been growing up together since the magnolia was planted there. I only noticed it a few years ago when one grew taller than the other. And more noticeable because it flowered later than the magnolia and had a white flower when the magnolia flowers had fallen off. Maybe I will be able to get a picture of it at the end of the month. It might be an apple tree.

For now, I can show you how the trunks have curled around as they have grown.

Magnolia has competition, maybe a friend.

The larger straight trunk, in the center with the darker bark, is the self starter.

Notice how the magnolia has reached around to gather more morning sunlight.

I see a green leaf on the left that could be a maple tree starting up.

The faster growing tree has a rougher bark and splits to allow the size of the trunk to expand as it grows.

Already the first flowers are dying and new buds are still emerging.

It still looks and feels like a beautiful delicate flower.

Published by

DJ

5 thoughts on “Magnolia plus”

  1. Hey Doug,
    Magnolias are one of my favorite flowers. I love the sweet fragrance they give off. I like your story of the two trees growing together. Sometimes, nature teaches us important lessons by what occurs there.

    Reply

  2. Like Florence, I really like magnolias! And I loved the detailed description of the flowers and of how they were pollinated millennia ago. I see magnolias here in Western New York, as well. Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the flowering trees. And I have an app on my phone called “Picture This.” It is a shiny new toy, and, with it, i can identify any plant, from tiny flower to giant trees. I have been walking everywhere lately just to identify trees! Tree identification is my big adventure!

    Reply

  4. I LOVE your photos Doug! All flowers are beautiful but magnolias are one of my favorites even though we don’t have any.

    Reply

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