365 Urban Species. #101: Saucer Magnolia

Urban species #101: Saucer magnolia Magnolia X soulangiana

What we call magnolia up here in Boston seems very different to American southerners. The huge Magnolia grandiflora that is the state tree of Mississippi is a wonderful native plant (or so I gather--I haven't seen one in person yet) that keeps its leaves year round and exudes a perfume from its giant flowers. It will not grow in the Northern states, and so its diminutive relatives from Asia must suffice for us.

There are some 200 species of Magnolia a genus that evolved early in the history of flowering plants. In fact, it is thought to have evolved before bees evolved, and therefore depends on beetles to pollenate it. Its flowers are large and robust to withstand the clumsy attentions of its armored symbiotes. The magnolia tree most often seen in northeastern cities is a hybrid of M. denudata and M. liliiflora, two Asian species. This hybrid is more able to survive in cold and urban conditions than either of its parents. Saucer magnolias are notable for their early-appearing flowers, coming in April long before their leaves are out. Whether a white or magenta variety, these little ornamental trees give the impression of a tree that has chosen big showy flowers instead of leaves.

( Oh so many photographs, all by cottonmanifesto unless otherwise indicated. )

Urban flying mammals

I thought the carp were difficult to photograph! Small, fast moving, nocturnal--I'm surprised these pictures turned out as good as they did (which isn't very good). Hey, vampyrusgirl, can you identify it from these?

( the pictures )