Tulip magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) blooming, Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site, 2016.

This large genus contains about 210 flowering species and is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. Interestingly, this genus (Magnolia) appears in the fossil record before bees and it is theorized that these plants evolved to encourage pollination by beetles instead. To avoid damage by pollinating beetles the flowers are etremely tough. This tulip magnolia, also called puple magnolia, lily magnolia, jane magnolia and woody orchid, just to name a few, is native to China but has been cultivated for ceturies elsewhere. It was introduced to English-speaking countries from its cultivated Japanese origins so is also sometimes referred to as Japanese magnolia.

magnolia tulip magnolia blossom spring spring bloom blooms plant flower flowers ulysses s grant national historic site magnolia liliiflora japanese magnolia puple magnolia jane magnolia genus beetles french botanist pierre magnol japanese origins woody orchid english speaking countries national parks gallery park cherry blossom

2016

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

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