Fraser Magnolia is a common deciduous medium-sized to large tree native to the southern Appalachians. The large, simple, tropical-looking leaves have auriculate (earlobe-shaped) bases. Large creamy-white flowers appear from late April to early May, depending on elevation.

Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08.

Fraser Magnolia is similar to the more widespread Umbrella-Tree (M. tripetala), which never gets very large and lacks the earlobes. The rare Bigleaf Magnolia (M. macrophylla) has auriculate leaf bases, but is smaller and has much larger leaves.

Alternate common names include Mountain Magnolia, Earleaf Magnolia, and Earleaf Umbrella-tree

The tree at left is about 70 feet tall, one of many large Fraser Magnolia trees in this area.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Leaves are normally about 12 inches long and broadest above the middle.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Emerging leaves.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Emerging flowers.

Carroll Co., VA 4/26/08.

Huge creamy-white flowers cover the trees in early-mid May.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

A flower just about to open.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

An opening flower, with mature flower in background.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

A fully-opened flower.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

The spectacular sweetly fragrant flowers are similar to those of the evergreen Southern Magnolia. These were photographed near milepost 202 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where large Fraser Magnolia trees are very common.

Carroll Co., VA 5/10/09.

Fraser Magnolia is found in a few sheltered locations in the Piedmont, such as here in a north-facing ravine at Hanging Rock State Park.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Developing fruit.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

Hanging Rock, Stokes Co., NC 6/14/2009.

In fall the leaves quickly turn pale green, yellow, then brown.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Bark of a small tree. Like that of most other Magnolias, the bark is somewhat smoothish, but covered with warty lenticels.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Bark of a large tree.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Large tree with remnants of old wounds made by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Trees are frequently multi-trunked. This is a large tree, with each trunk about 1.5 to 2 feet in diameter.

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

An even larger multi-trunked tree, with cat for scale. Even though the large limb the cat is near blew down not long after this photo was taken, this is still the current state champion (129" circumference, 73' height, 61' spread).

Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06.

Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10.