Magnolia virginiana Magnoliaceae Leaves are simple, alternate, evergreen, elliptical, approximately 6 inches long, and silvery white on the underside.
Young twigs are green and hairy with a velvety hairy terminal bud.
Bark is mottled gray-brown to almost white and smooth, becoming scaly on older stems. Flowers are white and fragrant. Fruit is a cone-like cluster of red follicles. Sweetbay magnolia is found on moist to wet sites in the southeastern U.S. Intermediate shade tolerance. Click on image to enlarge.