Also known as: Magnolia kobus var. stellata

stellata – star-like, referring to the flowers

Native range: Japan (S. Central Honshu)

Leaves:

• alternate
• simple
• entire
• large stipules
• obovate
• up to 5” long

Flowers:

• solitary & terminal
• radial
• perfect
• lots of tepals (8–25) that are 3-5” long
• tepals reflexed back
• many stamens, spirally arranged

Fruit:

• follicles (reminiscent of a pine cone)

Other characteristics:

• shrub or small tree
• deciduous
• flowers appear before leaves
• flowers in late winter/early spring

Relevant info:

• among the oldest (earliest evolved) of Angiosperms
• cultivated in its native Japan for centuries
• at least two dozen cultivars exist

Ecology & Adaptations:

• native to the Tokai region of Central Japan in wetlands from 40-700 m. in elevation
• pollination:
  • by beetles, which indicates early evolution (before bees evolved)
  • species is protogynous, i.e., flowers first open with the female parts of the flower receptive, then close, and reopen with the male parts (stamens) ready to shed pollen
  • this sequence decreases likelihood of self-pollination, thus widening the gene pool
  • species is endangered, perhaps due to population fragmentation and because seed production is strongly limited by both pollen shortage and self-pollination, which may have results in in-breeding depression
  • some studies suggest that large numbers of flowers increase the attractiveness for pollinators, and this outweighs the negative effects of self-pollination
  • flower/fruit production is affected by light intensity so the regeneration of this species appears to be limited to well-lit sites
  • cessation of traditionally managed landscapes has led to secondary succession in many places, negatively affecting populations of this species
  • thinning of upper canopy has been proposed as a conservation strategy
• vegetative reproduction – via layering (branches that touch the ground produce roots and establish a new unit)