Southern magnolias — a force of nature » Columns

Columns

Discussion

May 11, 2009

Southern magnolias — a force of nature

GAIL BARTON The Meridian Star Mon May 11, 2009, 05:18 PM CDT

Stop – take a deep breath. If you’re lucky, you’ll inhale the enticing aroma of magnolia flowers.

Here in Meridian, we’re at the end of the magnolia flowering season. The fragrance is wafting through almost every neighborhood mingling with the last musky remnants of privet and Japanese honeysuckle.

Everyone is familiar with our state flower, the Southern magnolia. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) can be found in wooded areas around Meridian but it is also frequently planted in landscapes. Two of the Southern magnolia’s cousins are less commonly used in landscaping but can be seen blooming in natural areas and along roadsides around Mississippi now.

The bigleaf magnolia or cowcumber (Magnolia macrophylla) is found in steep wooded ravines. Cowcumber has huge leaves averaging a yard long. It also has the largest flowers of the three magnolias. I’ve seen flowers up to almost a foot wide. Generally these lovely ivory blossoms have some purple markings.

The Sweetbay magnolia is usually found in wet areas along the edges of creeks or swamps. Like many other swamp residents, Sweetbay adapts well to an average garden soil and can be planted in landscaped areas. The European settlers thought Sweetbay had great potential as a landscape plant. In 1688, the Sweetbay was the first native American magnolia to be introduced into Europe.

Sweetbay has diminutive flowers averaging 3 inches across. The flowers are small but are usually borne in large numbers. All three of these magnolia cousins have intensely fragrant flowers. Sweetbay is especially enticing because it carries a hint of lemon. You can see all three of these magnolias blooming right now in Highland Park near the intersection of H. Kornegay Drive and Highland Park Drive. The magnolias are near the baseball field and across the street from United Fence Company.

Early in the morning and in early evening, the magnolia flower scent is especially strong. After work, my husband and I often sit on the deck. We’ve noticed that right around 6:30 the scent of the Sweetbays moves from the swampy area nearby and fills the air with its intoxicating aroma.

The only reason any flower releases such a strong scent is in order to beckon a pollinator. They say that magnolias are the oldest flowering plants. They have been found in fossils dated at 100 million years old. During their entire time on this earth, magnolia flowers have been releasing this enticing scent to attract beetles. The scent is strongest in early evening to attract beetles just emerging for a nightly prowl.

The magnolia flower is perfectly designed for beetle pollination. It is large, light colored and cup shaped. The beetle that pollinates magnolias is called a pollen beetle or sap beetle. It is tiny – usually less than 1/2 inch long with a flattened oval body.

Sap beetles feed on pollen and magnolia flowers are full of it. Magnolia flowers have no nectar. They attract beetles by emitting fragrant sugary secretions during the cool parts of the day. The beetle responds to the scent then bumbles around in a flower feeding on the pollen. During this feast, the beetle becomes covered with the pollen. When she moves on to another flower, the pollen is transferred with her.

I suggest that right now all good and loyal Mississippians should sit outdoors around 6:30 in the evening to experience this force of nature which is our state flower. As you sit and inhale the delicious aroma, remember that over your head in the magnolia canopy tiny beetles are crawling all over the flowers.

They are bumbling around seeking as much tasty pollen as possible. They are starting a process that will end when the flowers mature into cone-like fruit full of red pulp-covered seed.

• Gail Barton is program coordinator of the Meridian Community College

Horticulture Technology Program and is the author of a gardening book.

Text Only

Columns

European travel tips
If there is a condom machine in the restaurant’s restroom, you have made a mistake in your choice of dining establishment.
That is one of my rules for dining in Europe. Unfortunately, if you are already in the restroom, it’s probably too late.

February 8, 2012
Military cuts and BRAC to challenge leaders
February 6, 2012
Let ms.gov know what's going on
The state's newly relaunched web portal, www.ms.gov, is a great idea. According to a news release this is the first major update for the site in more than a decade.

February 5, 2012
Today’s need — $3,893.76
Today’s need concerns eleven circumstances. The first need is a couple in their forties working all the hours they can. The husband’s paycheck has been running low because he has not been receiving the hours at work he was accustomed to. With $274.38 we can keep their utilities form being cut off.

February 4, 2012
Killer, the cat ...
February 3, 2012
Counsel fight remains a political cold war
The ongoing legislative battle over the so-called “outside counsel” or contingency fee law remains a political cold war between the state’s trial lawyers and the state’s business and medical interests – and it’s a story that has two sides.

February 1, 2012
Travel technology
After leaving the Trapani Salt Flats on the western coast of Sicily on a late November afternoon, I maneuvered our vehicle down yet another remote, unmarked dirt road and passed dozens of vacant houses. No one was on the streets. It had been 10 minutes since we had seen another car. Sunlight was at a minimum. We had been warned several times about remote areas of Sicily.

February 1, 2012
Restoration spurs renewal in East Miss.
Choctaw tribal chief Phyliss Anderson restored and reopened Phillip M’s at the Pearl River Resort last week. She also signaled her intent to renew the economic policies so successfully implemented by the restaurant’s namesake.
"Under the visionary leadership of our late Chief Phillip Martin, our tribe realized great progress and today I am proud to honor his legacy with the re-opening of Phillip M's," said Anderson, flanked by members of Martin's family.

January 30, 2012
Today’s need — $2,393.77
1 JOHN 3:17 - “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Praise belongs to God as every need in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 has been met. Thanks to everyone who has generously given over the years to change lives physically, financially, and spiritually. Each week I stand in awe of God as I witness God’s provision in our lives.

Today’s need concerns six circumstances. The first need is a lady in her fifties just released from the hospital. Her sister she was living with died a few months ago. She is trying as hard as she can to pay the mortgage to keep her sister’s house. She has been able to maintain all her expenses so far but does not have money for her prescriptions. These prescriptions are necessary to keep her physically well. With $300.00 we can provide her much needed medications.

January 29, 2012
Gratitude
As I sit down to write this first column in a wrap-up series of the six-month, 17-country, two-continent research tour through Europe, I am struck by an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
I am grateful to the employees and managers of our restaurants who did an excellent job keeping the wheels in motion during my absence. I am grateful to our customers who helped make 2011 a record sales year for the company. I am grateful to longtime friends, new friends, and friends we have never even met for their prayers of support and well wishes. I am also grateful to the friends we met along the way.

January 25, 2012
More Columns Headlines

Columns

Search Results

Discussion

Southern magnolias — a force of nature

Site Map

Contact Us