Umbrella Magnolia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Umbrella Magnolia
• umbrella-tree
• elkwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Magnolia frondosa
• Magnolia virginiana var. tripetala
• Magnolia umbellata
• Magnolia umbrella
• Houpoea tripetala
• Magnolia michauxii
• Magnolia umbrella var. tripetala

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 the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, it is a member of the family Magnoliaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Magnolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied presence across several distinct regions of the United States. In the North-Central region, its distribution can be identified within the state of Oklahoma. Moving toward the Northeast, the species is found in Indiana and Ohio. The plant also occupies territory within the Northeastern state of New York. Finally, its geographical reach extends to the Northeastern area of Massachusetts.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Magnolia tripetala is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life form, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems that extend well above the ground level, allowing it to thrive in various forest ecosystems. This phanerophyte classification, specifically categorized under both life form descriptors, indicates a robust structural development where the buds and vegetative parts are protected on branches, facilitating its enduring lifecycle and structural complexity.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia tripetala is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting organism. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 12.17 m, though its size can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 9 m to a maximum of 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12.17 m

Plant height min:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia tripetala is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with temperate and subtropical woody angiosperms, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs via the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), which catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to produce two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate, a three-carbon compound. This C3 mechanism dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as the reliance on stomatal opening for CO2 uptake necessitates a physiological balance to minimize photorespiration and transpirational water loss. The plant's energy assimilation is further integrated into its complex growth patterns, supporting the development of its large, distinctive foliage and reproductive structures through the efficient conversion of light energy into chemical energy via the Calvin cycle.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Magnolia tripetalas is characterized by a specific seed morphology and a specialized dispersal mechanism. The plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass, where the mean, maximum, and minimum values are all recorded at 0.26316 g, indicating a lack of significant variation in individual seed weight. Regarding its reproductive strategy, the species exhibits a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on animals to transport its seeds to new locations, although it may also interact with other modes such as anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, or unspecialized dispersal methods within its ecological niche.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.26316 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Magnolia tripetala has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Honokiol, Magnolol, Obovatol.

Honokiol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Magnolol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Obovatol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Magnolia tripetala has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)