Search / Plant Profile / Magnolia pyramidata

Plant Profile

Pyramid Magnolia (Magnolia pyramidata)

Global Rank: G4 - Apparently Secure
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Magnoliaceae
State: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, TX
Nature Serve ID: 129936
Lifeform: Tree
Categories of Interest: Magnolias
Date Inducted in National Collection: 01/01/1985

Description:

Magnolia pyramidata, known so for its pyramid shaped crown, is one of the rarest magnolias in North America and has potential for a landscape tree due to its compact crown and beautiful creamy-white flowers. This rare tree first became known in Europe when brought to England by Bartram in 1806 (Harrar and Harrar 1962, Radford et al. 1968, Godfrey 1988, Dir 1998). It closely resembles Magnolia fraseri, but has an overall smaller stature than this more common species, growing only to 3-7 m (10-20 ft) in height . Leaves are also smaller and are of a peculiar shape: "kitelike".

Where is Pyramid Magnolia (Magnolia pyramidata) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Magnolia pyramidata is found on the coastal plain (whereas M. fraseri grows exclusively in the mountains). It grows in mesic woodlands along banks of streams, slopes of steepheads, ravine slopes, bluffs, and uplands (Godfrey 1988).

Distribution:

This is a very local species, rare all across its range. Found in northwestern Florida (especially along the Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, and Escambia rivers), central and southwestern Alabama, southwe

States & Provinces:

Pyramid Magnolia can be found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas

Which CPC Partners conserve Pyramid Magnolia (Magnolia pyramidata)?

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Conservation Actions

09/19/2020

Merkle and Watson-Pauley (1994) found that by transferring germinants directly into potting soil, plantlets were more likely to survive and were considered more vigorous.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Small range, threatened by habitat destruction in some areas.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Excessive coastal development Road construction, right-of-way maintenance Hydroelectric facilities, dams Clearcutting of adjacent hardwoods and conversion to pine Disturbance by thinning of trees in its immediate proximity Farm field clearing Eros

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Remaining population numbers and sizes are unknown.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Merkle and Watson-Pauley (1994) found that by transferring germinants directly into potting soil, plantlets were more likely to survive and were considered more vigorous.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

There is no formal management plan.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Populations need to be identified and monitored. Understanding this species general biology and ecology would be useful in conservation efforts.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

M. pyramidata is rarely cultivated because propagation is difficult. No cultivars have been selected or hybrids made.