Magnolia figo

(Lour.) DC.

Banana shrub, Chenille copperleaf

Magnoliaceae Edible: Leaves - scent 2,864 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Magnolia figo is a species of flowering plant in the family Magnoliaceae. This evergreen tree is sometimes referred to by the common names banana shrub, and port wine magnolia. It grows to 3–4 metres (10–13 feet) tall. Initially described by Portuguese missionary and naturalist João de Loureiro as Liriodendron figo, it was reclassified as Michelia figo by German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel. In 2006, a cladistic analysis of the genus Michelia found them to lie within the genus Magnolia, with the name now being Magnolia figo. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens for its fragrant flowers, which are cream-white and sometimes yellow, purple rounded, or light-purple, and strongly scented with isoamyl alcohol. It is also popular to keep M. figo as a houseplant. Flower buds, as well as new leaves, are covered with hairs, giving it a texture similar to that of velvet. The leaves are leathery, dark glossy-green, up to 10 cm long. This plant is used in Shanghai, China, as a tall evergreen hedge. It grows very slowly and matures into a large evergreen compact tree. It grows in acid and alkaline soil very well, but is susceptible to black soot.

Description

A shrub. It can grow 5 m high. The twigs zigzag. The leaves are in 2 ranks. The leaf blade is 4-12 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The upper side in shiny and dark green while the underneath is a dull green. The flowers are bowl shaped. They have a banana scent.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used for scenting tea.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used for scenting tea.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant (part not specified) is used medicinalluy.

Distribution

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on shady slopes and along riverbanks in well-drained sandy soil.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Pacific, SE Asia, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,

Cultivation

It is usually grown by air layering or stem cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - probably best sown in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed as soon as it is ripe. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions when large enough. Cuttings of greenwood.

Other Uses

The banana-scented flowers are used to scent hair oil.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Synonyms

Liriodendron figo Lour.Michelia figo (Lour.) Spreng.and others

Also Known As

Cempaka mulia

References (6)

Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 105 (As Michelia figo)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 146
Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 378 (Drawing)
Syst. veg. 2:643. 1825
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 425

Show all 6 references