Yongping Magnolia

Yongping Magnolia

　　Magnolia is the most historically cultivated ornamental tree species in Yongping and also the most representative one. It is a renowned early spring flower throughout the province, named for its large, white blossoms and orchid-like fragrance.

　　Magnolia is one of the most precious and rare flowering plants in China. Guo Moruo once praised: “Towering on the branches are elegant blooms like white lotuses, their fragrance reminiscent of orchids and magnolia. People call them magnolia. Jade is not as pure white and soft as we are, while orchid is not as fragrant and leisurely as we are. After blooming, the petals can be dusted with flour and pan-fried, making it both an ornamental and economic plant of dual beauty.”

　　Magnolia, also known as white michelia or lilytree, among other names. It earned the name “magnolia” because its flowers are “as white as jade and fragrant like orchids.” The Ming Dynasty’s Wang Shizhen wrote in “Xuepu Yushu”: “Magnolia blooms earlier than Yulan magnolia, hence the people of the Song Dynasty called it ‘welcoming spring’... Countless buds bloom without leaves, and when in full bloom, it can be called a jade tree,” thus it is also known as welcoming spring or jade tree.

　　Magnolia belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and the Magnolia genus. It is a tall deciduous tree. Typically growing 4–6 meters tall, it can reach up to 25 meters at its tallest. Its bark is mostly gray, the trunk is straight and upright, branches are gracefully curved, and the tree crown is oval-shaped with a pointed top and elliptical base. The veins on the underside of young leaves have fine hairs. The leaves are large, measuring 10–15 cm in length. The flowers bloom before the leaves, are very large, reaching 12–20 cm in diameter, with obovate or oval petals that are as white as jade, occasionally with green or red hues at the base. The sepals resemble petals, standing upright before blooming, all pointing upward, resembling hundreds of upright jade cups, or like waterborne lotuses or white lotus flowers, competing in beauty and creating an extremely spectacular sight. Once bloomed, each branch bears a single flower at the tip, with a flowering period lasting up to half a month. Each flower has six petals and three sepals, which are not easily distinguishable. The blossoms stand elegantly tall, clustered in gleaming purity, exuding a delicate fragrance that wafts far, delighting the eye and spirit. From afar, they look like snow-capped islands, truly breathtaking. The fruit forms in stacked clusters, with cylindrical follicles that split open when mature. The seeds are covered by a fleshy, golden-red outer seed coat, with a hard inner seed coat.

　　Magnolia trees have an extremely long lifespan and can live for over a thousand years.

　　Magnolia is not only an ornamental tree with graceful flowers, elegant colors, and a serene tree form, but also holds high economic value. Its flowers contain aromatic oils that can be extracted to make fragrant extracts, serving as important ingredients in perfume formulations. The flowers are sweet and fragrant, suitable for scenting tea or for consumption—washed, coated in batter and pan-fried, or candied, they are delicious. The seeds can be pressed for oil, used as lubricants or in soap-making. The flowers are also valued as medicinal remedies. According to medical texts, the fruits and buds can induce perspiration and reduce fever. The flowers help clear nasal passages, disperse colds, relieve pain and refresh the mind, as well as lower blood pressure. The wood is hard and dense, suitable for making sports equipment and high-end furniture.

　　Source: Dali Prefecture Tourism Development Management Committee