Magnolia virginiana, commonly called Sweet Bay magnolia, is native to the southeastern United States north along the Atlantic coast to New York. It typically grows as a shorter, suckering, open, multi-stemmed shrub. The tree features cup-shaped, sweetly fragrant creamy white flowers, in mid-spring. At this time of the year, cone-like fruits with bright red are maturing. Fun to see a bit of bright red at this time of the year. While there a number of these trees in the Arboretum, you can find them easily as you enter the Community Building on the Medford Campus and look to your left as you enter the Atrium.
