Magnolia macrophylla aka Big Leaf Magnolia

Magnolia macrophylla, also known as the bigleaf magnolia, is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States and eastern Mexico. It is characterized by its large, pale green leaves that can reach up to 1 meter in length. The tree grows to about 10 meters in height and has stout blue-grey stems. In early summer, it produces highly fragrant, creamy-white flowers with a deep red base. These cup-shaped flowers are the largest of any native plant in North America. The bark of the tree is gray and finely-scaled, while the shoots are green and the biennial branches transition from reddish-brown to gray. The leaves are leathery and obovate in shape, with a bright green upper surface and a silvery-gray underside that is slightly pubescent along the veins. The petioles are 4-10 cm long. The flowers, which bloom in May to June, are 25-30 cm in diameter and have a perianth of 6-9 oval lobes. The outer lobes measure 12-15 cm in length, while the inner lobes are convex and 15-18 cm long and 7-10 cm wide. The fruit is rounded ovate and pink in color, with pubescent combined leaflets that are 6-8 cm long. The tree is best suited for sheltered sites and provides a tent-shaped crown. With its majestic stature and remarkable features, Magnolia macrophylla is truly a standout among flowering plants.