Southern Magnolia

Recycle, all pics earlier years, but as of May 16, 2009 the blooms are coming on strong.

Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Magnoliaceae
Genus: Magnolia
Species: M. grandiflora

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_grandiflora


Magnolia grandiflora rightly deserves its name. With a bloom as big as a cantaloupe, or even a football, this flower is grand indeed.


I have a suspicion that the Southern Magnolia (an evergreen) is not a true Arkansas wild tree-- though they may grow apart from human effort in the far south. I have no concrete evidence, I've simply never encountered one in the wild.



As a northern boy, I'd never seen a Magnolia till I moved, age 12 to Tulsa Oklahoma. Both it, and the Mimosa tree with its fibrous bloom, astonished me.



Turns out plenty of others are astonished too. I bet the Southern Magnolia and Calla Lilly fall just behind the rose as floral photo subjects, with Magnolia being a favored black and white subject. Beyond that, it makes a fine subject for the nose, with just a hint of pine.

For some fine art samples see:

http://www.bsk-photo-graphs.com/magnolia.htm
http://www.pbase.com/bw/image/656552
http://www.pbase.com/bonita/magnolia






Ozark Magnolia

Snapshot Week 19: 5/10-5/16 - 40 days shy

Busted. Almost three weeks of steady rain, with a strom or two thrown in for good measure.


Pecan tree heavy with floral catkins. Peacnas are one of last major trees to go to leaf.

Green day with moss, Sweetgum tree

Swamp dwelling Spider Lilies flourished at the begining of the week, went bad by the end.

"Jetson" weeds, among the crimson clover seed heads.

The up and coming weed extravaganza.

Southern mags, the big guys are out in full force.

After almost three weeks of steady rain, Arkansas is one big wet green Miso-soup soppy mess. It would appear, however, that the weeds and grasses really like it. (Wonder what it ever feels to be a germ living on green mold... go outside.)



Given the weather my observatory skills may be diminished, but here is a quick count:

1. Wild Pink carnation roses, starting to take to the highway hedge rows
2. Still lots of honeysuckle.
3. Queen Anne's lace in bell curve growth spurt
4. Poisson Hemlock (or that which looks like QAL but is not, rising in the shadows.
5. Grass, Grass, weeds, and all kinds of things that I have yet to find names for.
6. Spider lilies now expired.
7. Catalpa trees in floral heat.
8.