In Greensboro, the magnolia blossoms were at their peak last week. The smooth, fragrant blossoms make a yard smell heavenly. The magnolia tree in the photo is about 4 stories tall. Magnolia is an ancient genus that evolved before bees existed! Magnolias were pollinated by beetles and adapted to prevent damage from beetles. Magnolias are evergreen and ALWAYS shedding. You know you have something to rake with a magnolia tree in the yard. This family of flowering trees dates back 20+ million years and has survived many geological events, including the continental drift! In Asia, the bark is used for medicinal purposes and is even said to have properties that help prevent periodontal disease. So, perhaps if you are camping and forget a toothbrush, you can snap off a piece of a magnolia tree and brush away.
We're sharing this ancient, majestic beauty with the Sky Watch Friday community. We are ever so grateful for our meme buddies, who account for 90% of our comments! Greensboro readers, a little feedback goes a long way in sustaining our efforts!
Who knew?! So many amazing things about the magnolia!
Posted by: Dina | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 06:02 AM
Hola!! magnolias are beautiful aren't they.... interesting facts too, thank you!
Posted by: suzi smith | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Beautiful image of the magnolia!
In answer to your question about what that tree would say if it could talk, «Louis'» guess is that it would say "leave me alone!" That has got to be the most photographed tree in the country! ;-D
«Louis» invites you to join his Sunday Bridges series. The Bridge series posts at 0001 hrs central Europe time each Sunday.
Posted by: Louis la Vache | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 06:48 AM
Gorgeous! Magnolia trees are favorites of mine, and you've caught a beauty of a blossom here.
Posted by: Sharon Creech | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 08:59 AM
Ours are in bloom down here as well.
Posted by: B^2 | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 10:00 AM
How beautiful! I love the contrast with the blue sky in the background.
Posted by: Ali | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 10:32 AM
The spring flowers are just amazing this year. Thanks for this beauty! We had magnolia trees in Corona, California, where I grew up, but I'm sure they feel more at home where you are! Thanks for your house comment on my Astoria blog - that I don't show very many houses. It's funny, because I take tons of house photos, then usually choose something else. I've kept your comment in mind and will include more. They are really fun. I have a house today, but it has been mangled with the ugly siding they used for so many decades.
Posted by: tapirgal | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Intersting information about Magnolias. I would like to plant one in my yard, but my husband doesn't like them for the very reason you mentioned.
Posted by: barbara farr | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Having a reversed season, I can see your lovely magnolias when it is bleak here. Yesterday, it poured the whole day.
Posted by: ann chin, New Zealand | Friday, May 21, 2010 at 09:16 PM
Oh it's good to see what a magnolia tree looks like. I thought I a picture of one but I can see now that mine is something else. Perhaps I have some type of Dogwood. Either way they are both very pretty and the blossoms are so fleeting.
Posted by: hip chick | Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 08:52 AM
What an incredible photo! Such contrasts of texture and color. Fills my eyes--which is the greatest compliment I can give.
Thank you, by the way, for visiting my blog today--I have enjoyed your blog very much!
Posted by: Beth | Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 05:12 PM