Cucumber Tree
Magnolia acuminata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Bruce Marlin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Species:
- Magnolia acuminata
- USDA Symbol:
- MAAC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 2400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Endopiza liriodendrana, Magnolia Leafroller Moth (Archips magnoliana), Morrisonia latex, Phyllocnistis magnoliella, Promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Palamedes Swallowtail (Papilio palamedes)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Phyllocnistis liriodendronella Butterflies:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, brown
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage preferred
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers deep, fertile soils in natural habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification; sow in fall for natural stratification or refrigerate. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 140 days
Establishment: M. acuminata is found in temperate deciduous forests of the eastern United States and is the only Magnolia native to Canada
Source: npn.rngr.net