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PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Sweet Bay Magnolia
SPECIES / FAMILY: Magnolia Virginiana / Magnoliaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
CONDITIONS: shady, sandy, wet, swampy
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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COOK |
ALL |
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Stalk/Stem |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION:
small
COMMENT:
Sweetbay is the only native magnolia in PA area, to my knowledge. It is an
evergreen, closely related to the Southern Magnolia. //
The leaves are used as a condiment in gravies etc (1).
Leaves can be used to make a tea or use like a 'bay leaf' to
flavor soups and stews or make a marinade.(2)
In other varieties the flowers are edible if pickled. See more info
below.
CAUTION:
The leaves or bark have been placed in cupped hands over the
nose and inhaled as a mild hallucinogen.(1)
Magnolia Virginiana flowers are considered not edible. However other
varieties are:
- https://essentialgardenguide.com/are-magnolia-flowers-edible
- https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/list-of-edible-magnolia-flowers
- https://www.diegobonetto.com/blog/magnificent-magnolias-and-how-to-eat-them
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Saucer Magnolias are a common
landscape tree in our area, although not native and do not naturalize, their
petals are edible:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/21/pickled-magnolias-springs-first-flowers-are-edible-with-a-potent-spicy-kick
Are Magnolia Flowers Poisonous to Humans?
Magnolia flowers are
not poisonous to human beings. Some people believe that the
southern magnolia flowers are not edible, which is invalid. These flowers are
edible, but their flavor is quite intense, and their taste is just like their
smell. Also, you cannot
eat them raw; you need to pickle them. You also cannot eat the
entire southern magnolia blossom but only the petals. It would help to use
the sweet/sour pickle recipe. Please take out the petals, dice them, and use
them to flavor salads. The flavor will be too strong, so you have
to go easy with your pickles.(4)
NUTRITION / MEDICINAL: A tea made from the bark is antiperiodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant and tonic. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria and is also taken internally in the treatment of colds, bronchial diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, rheumatism and gout. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It does not store well so stocks should be renewed annually. A tea made from the fruit is a tonic, used in the treatment of general debility and was formerly esteemed in the treatment of stomach ailments. The leaves or bark have been placed in cupped hands over the nose and inhaled as a mild hallucinogen.(1) For magnolias in general, although would take this info with caution since it doesn't differentiate between species - https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/magnolia.html
LOOK-A-LIKES:
RELATED: related to Tulip Poplar and Paw Paw
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https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Magnolia+acuminata Cucumber magnolia
- http://www.treesforme.com/pa_magnoliaceae.html
- http://www.treesforme.com/magnoliaceae_magnolia_family.htm
OTHER USES: An essential oil from the flowers has been used in the manufacture of perfumes. Wood - straight-grained, light, soft, easily worked, finishes well, aromatic and yellow in colour. It weighs 31lb per cubic foot. Used for furniture, broom handles, bowls and light woodenware articles etc. (1)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):
- https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Magnolia+virginiana
- https://www.eattheweeds.com/magnolia-viginiana-how-sweet-it-is-2
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_virginiana
- https://essentialgardenguide.com/are-magnolia-flowers-edible
- https://rootnashville.org/sweetbaymagnoliahighlight