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Magnolia coco

(Lour.) DC.

Chinese magnolia, Dwarf magnolia

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) ayuirawati, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) gunthergore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) gunthergore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Magnolia coco, the coconut magnolia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Magnoliaceae, native to southern China, Taiwan, Cambodia and northern Vietnam. A small tree from 7–13 ft (2–4 m) in the garden, it is hardy to zone 9, and can also be kept as a houseplant. It is incorrectly called Magnolia pumila in some sources. In Thailand, it is called yi hoob flower [ยี่หุบ]. In Cambodia, it is call Yi hoop flower (យីហ៊ុប).

Description

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are smooth and alternate. They are narrowly oval and 16 cm long. They are dark green on the upper side and waxy pale green on the underside. The flowers occur singly and are nodding. They are egg shape with 6 white petals. The have a strong scent. The fruit is a cone like follicle that splits open. The seeds are red, pink or orange with an oily aril.

Edible Uses

The flowers are edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in well-drained and moist soil and part shade. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Indonesia, SE Asia, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Synonyms

Gwillimia indica Rottler ex DC.Lirianthe coco (Lour.) N. H. Xia & C. Y. WuLiriodendron coco Lour.Liriopsis pumila Spach ex Baill.Talauma coco (Lour.) Merr.

Also Known As

Cempaka cina, Cempaka gondok, Cempaka kelapa

References (2)

  • Liu, Yi-tao, & Long, Chun-Lin, 2002, Studies on Edible Flowers Consumed by Ethnic Groups in Yunnan. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 24(1):41-56
  • Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 665

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