Magnolia acuminataIndiana NativeIndiana Native
Cucumbertree Magnolia
Other Common Names: Cucumber-tree

Magnolia acuminata - Overall Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Greenish yellow flowers with 6 large 3" tepals of upper flower, and 3 lower 1" tepals horizontally borne below larger tepals; late May to early June)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (The large, dark green leaves provide a moderately coarse texture; summer); Bronze (Fall color is typically a poor greenish brown, but sometimes a yellowish-bronze)
 Stem Notes:
moderate, glabrous
 Fruit Notes:
Red (2-3" fruit, begins green and turns a pinkish-red; is a bumpy irregular aggregate of follicles that split open to reveal bright orange-red arils)
 Ultimate Height:
50-80 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
50-80 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Fruiting Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers loamy, moist, well-drained soils that are slightly acidic
 Range:
Eastern United States
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves - alternate, simple, large (4-10"), elliptic to oblong-ovate and entire with undulation. Dark green above, light green below. Leaf apex is acuminate, base is cordate to rounded. Stipules at the petiole base early in season encircle the stem, resulting in a scar surrounding stem. Terminal buds are greenish gray, large, blunt, ovate, often slightly curved and about 1" long; covered with a solitary pubescent scale that wraps around the entire bud. Smaller lateral buds are 1/4 - 1/2" long, appressed and also pubescent. Young stems are greenish gray then turn reddish-brown as they mature with prominent circular bud-scale scars encircling the stem at each node. Stems are stout and glabrous, and fragrant when crushed. Stems have slightly elongated gray lenticels.
 Ecological Functions:
Purdue Plant Doctor
Parts and Problems of Magnolia
  Special Characteristics:
  • Fast Growth Rate 229
  • Notable Texture 282
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Park Tree 42
  • Shade Tolerant 115

    • Additional Information

    This tree gets it name from the cucumber-looking fruits it bears in the fall. Full sun is best, although it has tolerance for partial shade. Because the roots are thick and fleshy and grow downward more than out, it can be moderately difficult to transplant. Generally trouble-free, but scale can be a problem on occasion. This species may not be ideal for street tree plantings because of a tendency to suffer ice damage.

    When Magnolia acuminata has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

    Flowering

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Fruiting

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    5 Magnolia acuminata found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    12009_13457*AHORTPARK
    22023_00674*APSYC
    32023_00674*BPSYC
    42023_00674*CPSYC
    52024_00164*AHIKS

    Other plants like this Magnolia acuminata (Cucumbertree Magnolia)

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