The curious flowers of the cucumber tree provide seasonal interest amongst the Magnolias.
The genus Magnolia numbers approximately 125 species of trees and shrubs from Asia and America. Many species are grown as specimen trees for their ornamental value, bearing showy, solitary flowers varying in colour from pure white, to rich pink and yellow and green. Magnolia acuminata (cucumber tree) is found in woods, slopes, ravines and streamsides of North America, and was introduced to European gardens in the 1730’s or 1740’s by John Bartram, an Anglo-American seed trader. Though admired in gardens as an ornamental species, the cucumber tree has long been used by the Cherokee in the production of furniture and paper, and by the Iroquois for medicinal purposes. Growing to 30m its deciduous leaves have a slender (acuminate) leaf, hence the specific name, and the jade-coloured buds open to produce lightly scented, cup-shaped that are either yellow-green, or green, in colour. Cylindrical fruits to 3cm in length are produced in late summer, and these are green on emergence, giving rise to the common name, maturing to red.