Magnolia salicifolia
Common name: 
Willowleaf Magnolia
Anise Magnolia
Pronunciation: 
mag-NO-li-a sal-is-i-FO-li-a
Family: 
Magnoliaceae
Genus: 
Magnolia
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree or shrub, to 20-30(50) ft, [6-9(15) m], narrow to broad pyramid.  Leaves alternate, simple, to about 12 cm long and 5 cm wide, narrow oval to lanceolate, tip acute, base wedge-shaped or rounded, margin entire, glabrous (smooth) and dull green above and pale green below; fragrant, when crushed giving off an odor of anise or lemon-verbena (Gardiner, 2000).  Flowers white, fragrant, mostly 7.5-10 cm wide, made of 6 "petals", called tepals; appear before the leaves in spring.  Fruit 5-7.5 cm long, rose-pink but fades to dull brown, has scarlet seeds.
  • Sun to part shade.  Best in moist, acid soils.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (3) 4      Native to three islands of Japan, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, between 490-1340 m (1600-4400 ft).   Several cultivars available.
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  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • fruit clusters and leaves

    fruit clusters and leaves

  • seed cluster and leaves

    seed cluster and leaves

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark