Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Magnoliids
- Order: Magnoliales
- Family: Magnoliaceae
- Genus: Magnolia
- Section: Magnolia (section Magnolia)
- Species: Magnolia dawsoniana
- Authority: (W. W. Smith) Rehder
Common names
- Dawson's magnolia
Description
Magnolia dawsoniana is a deciduous tree that typically attains a height of 15–25 m (50–82 ft) with a spread of 8–12 m (26–39 ft). Mature individuals possess a straight trunk and a rounded canopy. Leaves are large, oblong to ovate, chartaceous to membranaceous, measuring up to 30 cm (12 in) in length and 12 cm (4.7 in) in width, with an acute apex and a serrated or slightly wavy margin. The foliage is glossy dark green on the adaxial surface and paler beneath; it is abscised in winter.
The species is noted for its conspicuous, fragrant flowers, which emerge in early summer (May–June) before the foliage fully expands. Each flower is umbelform, measuring 16–20 cm (6–8 in) in diameter, and displays nine to twelve tepals that are white to creamy‑white, sometimes tinged with pink on the outer surfaces. The inner tepals are reflexed, exposing a central mass of numerous stamens with bright yellow anthers and a prominent gynoecium. The fruit is an aggregate of indehiscent follicles, each containing several seeds covered with a fleshy, yellow aril.
Distribution and habitat
Magnolia dawsoniana is endemic to central China. Documented native provinces include Hubei, Sichuan, and the municipality of Chongqing. The species occupies mixed temperate–subtropical forests at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,200 m (3,300–7,200 ft). It prefers well‑drained, acidic to neutral soils and is typically found on slopes or in forest gaps where light availability is moderate to high.
Ecology
Flowering coincides with the activity periods of local pollinators, principally beetles and certain Lepidoptera. The arillate seeds are dispersed by birds and small mammals that feed on the fleshy covering.
Cultivation and uses
Magnolia dawsoniana is cultivated as an ornamental tree in temperate regions worldwide for its large, scented blossoms and attractive bark. It is valued in landscapes that can accommodate its mature size. The species tolerates a range of soil types provided they are reasonably moist and well‑drained. It is hardy to USDA zones 5–7, though in the colder extremities of its range it may require sheltered planting. Propagation is most successful via seed, though semi‑hardwood cuttings taken in late summer have also been reported to root.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not formally assessed Magnolia dawsoniana in its Red List; consequently, its global conservation status is listed as Data Deficient. Habitat loss due to deforestation and land‑conversion in its native range is considered a potential threat, but the paucity of comprehensive population surveys limits definitive conclusions.
History and etymology
The specific epithet dawsoniana honors the English botanist and plant collector Charles Dawson (1848–1915), who collected specimens of the species during botanical explorations in China in the late 19th century. The species was first described scientifically by W. W. Smith and later transferred to the genus Magnolia by Alfred Rehder.
References
- Rehder, A. (1935). Magnolia dawsoniana. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum, 16(2), 168–170.
- Cheng, F. Y., & Tang, H. W. (1990). Flora of China (Vol. 7, Magnoliaceae). Science Press.
- Yuan, Y. et al. (2014). Distribution and habitat preferences of endemic Magnoliaceae in Sichuan Province, China. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 176(3), 426–440.
This entry reflects currently available encyclopedic information on Magnolia dawsoniana as of June 2026.