Magnolia liliifera (Magnolita)

Magnolia liliifera green flower bud close up on a slender woody stem

Magnolia liliifera green flower bud sits on a slender woody brown stem

Botanical names: Magnolia liliifera, Talauma candollei

Common names: Magnolita, Egg Magnolia

Family: Magnoliaceae

Origin: Thailand

USDA Zone: 10-11

Cold tolerance: 35°F

Plant form: Large bush or small tree

Mature height: 10-20 ft

Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor

Cold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.

Watering: Regular

Flower color: White and off-white

Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing

Fragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant

Medium size tree with large velvet leaves and fragrant yellowish off-white flowers about 4-5" wide. Before opening, buds have an egg shape. One of the most valuable ornamental fragrant trees of Asia. A highly valued fragrant flower of this small tree or shrub resembles dwarf magnolia flower (magnolia figo, magnolia coco), but the scent is much stronger. Leaves are large, 7-9" long and 4" wide. Can be grown in container in a well-lit spot. Cold sensitive, can not tolerate even light frost. Magnolia liliifera formerly known as Talauma candollei. You can see that they are the same species even though some individuals may have larger leaves or flowers than others. M. lilliifera is similar to M. coco - as both species have those egg shaped flowerbuds. In M. coco however, the bud is shaped more like a baby coconut, hence the name Magnolia coco, Coconut Magnolia.

See Article about Tropical Magnolias.