| Umbrella-tree is an uncommon but widespread deciduous native small tree with large, simple, tropical-looking leaves, found in the understory of rich forests. The leaves resemble umbrellas in that they are large and clustered at the ends of branches. Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.
| 
| Similar to the common Fraser Magnolia (M. fraseri) of the Mountains and rare Bigleaf Magnolia (M. macrophylla), but the leaves of Umbrella-Tree are smaller and lack lobed bases. Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.
| 
| A flower just about to open. Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.
| 
| A fully open flower. Carroll Co., VA 5/11/09.
|
| An opening flower. Haywood Co. NC 5/13/05.
| 
| Haywood Co. NC 5/9/08.
| 
| Haywood Co. NC 5/9/08.
|
| Umbrella-Tree is less common in the Piedmont of North Carolina than the evergreen Southern Magnolia (M. grandiflora), which is a Coastal Plain native that commonly escapes from cultivation. Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC 4/23/05.
| 
| Large, lightly-scented, creamy-white flowers appear at the ends of branches in late April. Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC 4/23/05.
|
| Developing fruit. Haywood Co., NC 6/13/2009.
|
| The leaves grow in clusters at the ends of leafless branches. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.
| 
| Showing the umbrella-like leaf arrangement. The leaves look whiter beneath with the flash than they do under natural lighting. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.
| 
| Terminal bud. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.
| 
| Like that of most other Magnolias, the bark is smooth, except for scattered lenticels (corky warts). Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.
|
More information:
Floridata
NC State
University of Connecticut
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
|
|