Put this on your life's To Do list...visit The South and experience a magnolia tree or bush in bloom. Coming from one of the world's oldest genus, dating back over twenty million years ago with over 210 species the world over (Wikipedia), is this lovely and very fragrant bloom.
It is easily recognized by its unusual construction; a lack of distinct separated petals, which are called sepals, and, its reproductive system. The closed structure containing the ovules and seed production is called a carpel; that ovary-looking hairy thing in the center of the bloom. How's that for a 'botanical description'? Monsieur Magnol would exclaim Merdi!
The varied species are found in Asia, North, Central and South America with variations on color; creamy white as we see here the bloom I picked yesterday, and also smaller size that grows more like a shrub called Purple Queen, Magnolia figo.
In Charleston, SC, I noticed that if left alone and in favorable climates, magnolia trees can become rather stately, growing to recorded heights of 90-99 feet. There are also records from early Southern settlers of medicinal use from boiling a tincture of the bark for treatment of coughs and colds.
It is also the state tree of Mississippi and recognized as the state flower in Louisiana. We have them here in Kentucky also, but the height and stateliness found in the deep South; not so much. More ornamental here, usually placed as landscape trees; often placed too close to the house, in new home construction. Remember to envision growth for tomorrow on what you are planting today, as well as soil and water availability, overhangs from the house, shade from other trees, traffic patterns and use of your yard, when you plant trees and shrubs.
The grandiflora bears a fruit pod that contains individual seeds that lie under the brownish scales. I think the pods look somewhat like the wild Morel mushroom we called "Sponge" mushrooms where I was raised, in Illinois.
The best part of a magnolia, I think, is through all those complexities and structures, the scent is unlike anything else.
You have to experience the feel of the thick waxy leaves and bend your nose low over the top of the bloom like you would if you were putting your nose in the globe of a wine glass to inhale its bouquet. Take it in, but if you take it home and float it in a bowl of water, you have to do it frequently. The bloom peaks in less than twenty-four hours and starts to turn brown. Some things in life are fleeting and you really must capture the moment and savor it.
You have to experience the feel of the thick waxy leaves and bend your nose low over the top of the bloom like you would if you were putting your nose in the globe of a wine glass to inhale its bouquet. Take it in, but if you take it home and float it in a bowl of water, you have to do it frequently. The bloom peaks in less than twenty-four hours and starts to turn brown. Some things in life are fleeting and you really must capture the moment and savor it.
Stop and smell the flowers, yes? Stop and pass on something wonderful to someone today. If we let ourselves, we can also receive much from those around us. Why not put yourself in the background and see what you can learn from someone instead of speaking at them; making yourself a little less important in the conversation? Inhale the bouquet of someone else's knowledge and pass it forward.
