Today’s Flowers: Magnolia Grandiflora
hosted by
Luiz Santilli, Denise Gullickson, Laerte Pupo, Valkyrien
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Magnoliaceae
Genus: Magnolia
In 1703 Charles Plumier described a flowering tree from the island of Martinique and gave the species, the genus name Magnolia, after Pierre Magnol, who was director of the botanical garden at Montpellier, France. Magnolia is a popular ornamental and shade tree, planted around the world in warm temperate and subtropical regions.
Magnolias have a dense growth of smooth, leathery evergreen leaves. They alternate 5–10 inches long, shiny on top and rusty below.
They are cup-shaped, with thick petals, wider at the tip. The blossoms open in the morning and close at night. The stamens shed and the flowers reopen, turning brown, and then disintegrates.
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is also called evergreen magnolia, bull-bay, big-laurel, or large-flower magnolia.
The tree produces fragrant, creamy-white flowers. They discolor very easy if bruised, and appear on the ends of thick, tough stems all over the tree.
More flowers can be seen around the world, if your click the badge above. Enjoy!
February 7th, 2010 at 3:46 am
Ebie, Beautiful magnolia blooms. They do have a lovely scent.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Ebie I love the Magnolia flowers. The seed pods are a pain in the fall, but the flowers are beautiful. We have one large tree, and two smaller ones, and I would not trade them for anything.
melissa´s last blog ..The Hangover, Avatar, and Chipmunks
February 7th, 2010 at 5:01 am
A few varieties of magnolias grow here in Canada too, believe it or not. Some years they are hit by frost, but most yeas they are quite lovely!
Stine, Canada´s last blog ..Pizza Anyone?/ Shadow Shot Sunday
February 7th, 2010 at 5:51 am
dh just adores magnolia’s we had a yellow one at our last house. We are too exposed to the elements here to plant one at this house.
Gill in Canada
Gill´s last blog ..Today’s Flower
February 7th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Ebie, my mother had this flower in her garden. What good memories of my childwood! Thank you, dear.
A good week for you
Rosa´s last blog ..TODAY’S FLOWERS #78
February 7th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Beautiful post, I especially enjoyed seeing the colors and textures in the center of the flower!
Diane AZ´s last blog ..Reading Shadows
February 7th, 2010 at 7:04 am
WOW! What beautiful shots!
Carletta´s last blog ..Watery Wednesday: A Heron at the Park 
The third one, the macro, love it!
The blooms are beautiful but the cleanup under the trees is a constant task.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:22 am
Theses are beautiful shots of the wonderful Magnolia! You know, we even have them in Norway, so they thrive in a bit cold climate as well. It is a sight for soar eyes when the trees are in bloom!
Valkyrien´s last blog ..Today’s Flowers: Pink roses with a green touch 
February 7th, 2010 at 7:30 am
wonderful shots, dear Ebie.Nice sunday
Grace Olsson´s last blog ..Tulpaner till er alla at Flowers from Today
February 7th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Tose are lovely shots Ebie. I finally get through your blog, it was down kanina eh.. Ingat lagi.
Rose´s last blog ..Life of a Rose
February 7th, 2010 at 9:09 am
These are just beautiful. I have never seen them personally but they are beautiful. And your photos are splendid. Have a great Sunday
Thom´s last blog ..Guess Whose Back? 
February 7th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Stunning and beautiful pictures of Magnolias.
guild-rez´s last blog ..TODAY’S FLOWERS – Hibiscus (Malvaceae) 
Great shots and Macros!!
Love your pictures!!
February 7th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Those are wonderful shots, Ebie! I photographed the Magnolia tree in the yard behind my house just yesterday (between rain showers). I haven’t posted it yet.
The macro is simply divine!
carolynUSA´s last blog ..Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Ruby Tuesday, Midweek Blues / Playday at the Beach
February 7th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Ebie, these are so pretty! I never knew about the origins of the magnolia. Beautiful job documenting these with your photos!
Vicki
Lucy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Papa!
February 7th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
What beautiful flowers of the Magnolia.
I whish I could have a tree in my garden but we have to cold,
Have a nice week
Gunilla´s last blog ..October month in the garden–Oktober månad i trädgården 
Gunilla
February 7th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I really like the soft touch within (3rd photo). (Looks edible hihi). Pretty!
Mirage´s last blog ..Hibiscus
February 7th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I didn’t know about the history of the Magnolia, a lovely informative post and your photos are as always exquisite. Have a great week Ebie.
Denise´s last blog ..TODAY’S FLOWERS # 78
February 7th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Wonderful shots of the beautiful magnolias.
Carver´s last blog ..Today’s Flowers: Tough Flowers
February 7th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I love the magnolia’s scent! I have two trees in my backyard! Good capture, Ebie! Lovely mosaic!
Tes´s last blog ..Petronas Twin Towers
February 7th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Beautiful esp the close-up
Evelyn´s last blog ..Fence climbers
February 7th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Pure looking and so pretty!
Thanks for sharing Ebie dear.
Have a wonderful week.
Regina´s last blog ..Monochrome. A Favorite View
February 7th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
These are glorious photos, Ebie! I can almost smell the wonderful scent. (Though it’s snowing here in Denver!)
Barb´s last blog ..I’m Fine – Really…
February 7th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Wow! it’s beautiful and the whiteness of it is so pure!!!I’ve never seen a Magnolia before but maybe I do I just don’t know yet.
Willa´s last blog ..Today’s Flower#15
February 9th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Precious Magnolia blossoms..love love the macro..so pure and beautiful..a new beginning!
Ebie I thank you deeply for all your prayers and support in getting me to my recovery!
I am blessed to be a part of such a caring blogging community.
blessings to you aNNa xo
naturegirl´s last blog ..Celebration Time
February 9th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
we have magnolias in Auckland too.
http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/01/magnolia.html
In Malaysia and Singapore, we also have the very small ones.
http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/01/magnolia-2.html
ann chin´s last blog ..Ruby Red Tuesday: Cherry picker
February 9th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Hi Ebie, I supposed I love magnolias, I have two in my back yard, one white and one purple. They both had been newly planted this summer. Still struggling but I can’t wait to see them get adjusted.
self sagacity´s last blog ..Wednesday Japanese Camelia
February 10th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Southern girls do love magnolias!
Kathy´s last blog ..Peach Rose 202/365