Japanese Big Leaf Magnolia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Big Leaf Magnolia
• Japanese Whitebark Magnolia
• Whiteleaf Japanese Magnolia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Houpoea obovata
• Magnolia honogi
• Magnolia hypoleuca
• Magnolia hypoleuca var. concolor
• Yulania japonica var. obovata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Magnoliales, it is a member of the family Magnoliaceae. Finally, it is specifically categorized under the genus Magnolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across parts of Eastern Asia. It can be found growing within the natural landscapes of Japan. Additionally, its distribution extends into the Russian Far East. Within this region, the species is notably present on the Kuril Islands. These specific locations define the known habitat for Magnolia obovata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Magnolia obovatata is characterized by its preference for moist, well-drained soils within temperate deciduous forest ecosystems, where it typically thrives in the understory or canopy margins. While it occurs naturally in riparian zones and bottomland forests, its distribution is frequently found in managed environments, including botanical gardens, arboretums, and ornamental landscapes where soil moisture and nutrient levels are carefully regulated. In these settings, the plant relies on stable microclimates and consistent hydration to support its growth. Its ecological role involves contributing to the forest structure and providing seasonal resources for various pollinators, particularly beetles and bees, which are drawn to its large, fragrant blooms.

Habitat :

managed

Life history

The life history of Magnolia obovata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground level, a structural adaptation that allows it to thrive in its natural forest habitats. This phanerophyte life form, categorized under both its primary growth habit and its structural classification, enables the species to maintain a stable, long-lived presence within its environment, developing into a robust woody structure that persists through various seasonal cycles.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia obovata is characterized by its growth form as a robust, woody tree. It is a self-supporting species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that typically reaches a mean of 15 m, though it can range from a minimum of 15 m to a maximum of 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia obovatata is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. This carbon fixation occurs within the mesophyll cells, where the enzyme RuBisCO facilitates the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. As a temperate deciduous species, its physiological processes are closely synchronized with seasonal temperature fluctuations and photoperiodism, regulating transpiration rates and stomatal conductance to maintain water potential during active growing seasons. The plant utilizes its C3 metabolism to optimize energy production under moderate light and moisture conditions, though it must manage the inherent risk of photorespiration when environmental stressors like high temperatures or drought induce stomatal closure. Furthermore, its physiological efficiency is supported by complex hormonal signaling that manages nutrient uptake and the seasonal transition between vegetative growth and dormancy.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Magnolia obovata involves the production of specialized seeds characterized by distinct physical dimensions and properties. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a consistent seed volume, which is measured at exactly 300 mm³ for both the minimum and maximum values, resulting in a mean seed volume of 300 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show slight variability, with a minimum mass of 0.21277 g and a maximum mass of 0.36 g, contributing to an overall mean seed mass of 0.27259 g. Furthermore, the reproductive process culminates in the development of fruit that is characterized by a dry texture.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.36 g

Seed mass mean:

0.27259 g

Seed mass min:

0.21277 g

Seed volume max:

300 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Magnolia obovata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, fruit, leaf.

Stem

1. Hua xi yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of West China University of Medical Sciences = Huaxi yike daxue xuebao
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Fruit

1. Planta medica

Leaf

1. Behavioural brain research

Chemicals

Magnolia obovata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Honokiol, Magnolol, Obovatol, 4 -Methoxymagnaldehyde B, 5'-allyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl-4-methoxy-3-cinnamic aldehyde.

Honokiol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Archives of pharmacal research
4. Journal of natural products
5. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Magnolol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Archives of pharmacal research
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology

Obovatol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Planta medica

4 -Methoxymagnaldehyde B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

5'-allyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl-4-methoxy-3-cinnamic aldehyde

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

9-Methoxyobovatol

1. Planta medica

Coumanolignan

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

HNK

1. iScience

Isomagnolol

1. Planta medica

Obovatal

1. Planta medica

Activities

Magnolia obovata has 22 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiacetyltransferase, Antiaggregant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticariogenic.

Antiacetyltransferase

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. International journal of oncology

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticonvulsant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiemetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiradicular

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Magnolia obovata has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, acute promyelocytic leukemia, angiogenesis, anxiety, anxiety disorder.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations