Beaver Tree

Beaver Tree
A genus consisting of about 125 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, distributed through eastern N America to Venezuela, and from the Himalayas to E and SE Asia. Magnolias are among the most exotic of the flowering trees and shrubs sufficiently hardy for gardens in most temperate regions. Their solitary, fragrant blooms resemble water lilies. Several species are used medicinally in N America, originally by native tribes. The active constituents of magnolia bark dissolve readily in alcohol, which gave rise to the use by N American settlers of bitter, alcoholic extracts to prevent malaria. The non-astringent bark of M. acuminata (cucumber tree) and M. tripetala (Umbrella tree), as well as of M. virginiana, were listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (1820-94), mainly for intermittent fevers and rheumatism. Magnolia liliiflora and M. officinalis have been important in Chinese traditional medicine for over 2000 years. Magnolia officinalis contains magnocurarine, which is similar to curare (a muscle relaxant obtained from various species of Chondrodendron, See, pareira, and Strychnos, See, strychnine).

Deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, elliptic to ovate leaves, 13-15cm (5-6in) long, which have blue-white undersides. Very fragrant, creamy-white, globular flowers, to 6cm (2½in) across, appear in summer.

Common Name:

Beaver Tree

Other Names:

Sweet Bay

Botanical Name:

Magnolia virginiana syn. M. glauca

Genus:

Magnolia

Family:

Magnoliaceae

Native Location:

Native to E USA

Cultivation:

Moist, neutral to acid, rich soil in sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold winds and late frosts. Magnolia virginiana tolerates wet soils. Buds and open flowers turn brown when damaged by frost.

Propagation:

By seed sown in autumn (species only); by greenwood cuttings in late summer (deciduous magnolias); by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn (evergreen magnolias).

Harvest:

Bark is collected in autumn and dried for use in decoction, liquid extracts, powders, and tinctures. Its aromatic properties do not keep well and stocks are renewed annually. Flower buds and flowers are picked in spring (M. liliiflora) or when open in summer (M. officinalis), an d used fresh or dried in decoctions, or dried for powders.

Variations:

Henry Hicks
Retains its leaves in winter more reliably than the species.

Height:

9m (28ft)

Width:

6m (20ft)

Hardiness:

Z5-9

Parts Used:

Bark

Properties:

A bitter, aromatic, tonic herb that increases perspiration and reduces inflammation.

Medicinal Uses:

Internally for bronchial diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, malaria, rheumatism, and gout.

Culinary Uses:

Leaves are used to make tea, and to flavor meat dishes and sauces.

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