On Saturday, Sept. 14, visitors to the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus will experience intermittent interruptions to Wi-Fi and cell phone coverage while crews replace aging data and electrical equipment. No other campus impacts are expected.
Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Learn about the sweetbay magnolia including when and why it was planted, how to identify it, and where to find it on campus.
Tree Facts
Family: Magnoliaceae
Type
Flowering
Pollinator habitat
Semi-evergreen
Size
Medium (25-50 feet)
Traits
- Oval leaves that are 6-8 inches long, shiny green on top and gray underneath
- Creamy white, lemon-scented flowers that are 2-3 inches wide
- Flowers have 9-12 petals
- Bright red, cone-like fruit that emerges in late summer
- Smooth, gray bark
Native Range
- Southeastern United States
Story of the Tree
One sweetbay magnolia tree was planted in the channel along Sid Snyder Avenue Southwest on West Campus. Along with other moisture loving plants, it was planted here to help naturally filter storm water that runs off this street.
Even though this species is native to the Southeastern U.S., the tree on Capitol Campus is thriving.
The sweetbay magnolia was the first magnolia to be cultivated in England, in 1688.
