A more petite version of the familiar Magnolia grandiflora, distinguished by its glaucous leaf undersides, smaller flowers, and smaller, thinner leaver. The flowers have an intoxicating rich, sweet scent. Common in the Coastal Plain, occasional in the lower Piedmont of North Carolina.

Carteret Co., NC 5/31/03.

Carteret Co., NC 6/23/04.

The undersides are normally quite white.

Carteret Co., NC 5/31/03.

The cone-like fruit (an aggregate of follicles) pops open in late summer to expose bright red seeds.

Carteret Co., NC 8/24/03.

Carteret Co., NC 8/29/04.

Bark of a small tree.

Moore Co., NC 3/14/07.