Bull Ray – Southern Magnolia

Southern magnolia
Magnòlia a Verbania.JPG
Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia)
Scientific classification
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M. grandiflora
Binomial name
Magnolia grandiflora
Magnolia grandiflora map.png

Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the southeastern United States, from southeastern North Carolina to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Reaching 27.5 m (90 ft) in height, it is a large, striking evergreen tree, with large dark green leaves up to 20 cm (7 34 in) long and 12 cm (4 34 in) wide, and large, white, fragrant flowers up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter.

Although endemic to the lowland subtropical forests on the Gulf and south Atlantic coastal plain, magnolia grandiflora is widely cultivated in warmer areas around the world. The timber is hard and heavy, and has been used commercially to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.

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