Editing Magnolia acuminata

{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{For|other trees with the shared common name cucumber tree|Cucumber tree}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
 | name              = Cucumber tree
 | image             = Magnolia acuminata.jpg
 | image_caption     = ''Magnolia acuminata'', [[Morton Arboretum]] acc. 1046-3*1
 | status            = LC
 | status_system     = IUCN3.1
 | status_ref        = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Khela, S. |date=2014 |title=''Magnolia acuminata'' |volume=2014 |page=e.T193896A2289975 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T193896A2289975.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
 | genus             = Magnolia
 | display_parents   = 3
 | parent            = Magnolia subsect. Tulipastrum
 | parent_authority  = (Spach) Figlar & Noot
 | species           = acuminata
 | authority         = (Linnaeus)
 | range_map         = Magnolia acuminata range map 5.png
}}

'''''Magnolia acuminata''''', commonly called the '''cucumber tree''' (often spelled as a single word "'''cucumbertree'''"), '''cucumber magnolia''' or '''blue magnolia''', is one of the largest [[magnolia]]s, and one of the cold-hardiest. It is a large forest [[tree]] of the [[Eastern United States]] and [[Southern Ontario]] in Canada. It is a tree that tends to occur singly as scattered specimens, rather than in groves.<ref name=sternberg>Sternberg, G., & Wilson, J. (2004). Native Trees for North American Landscapes. Portland, Oregon:Timber Press</ref>

The cucumber tree is native primarily within the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian]] belt, including the [[Allegheny Plateau]] and [[Cumberland Plateau]], up to western [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New York (state)|New York]]. There are also numerous disconnected outlying populations through much of the southeastern U.S., and a few small populations in [[Southern Ontario]]. In Canada, the cucumber tree is listed as an [[endangered]] species and is protected under the Canadian [[Species at Risk Act]].<ref name=white>White, D.J. (2000). Update COSEWIC Status Report on the Cucumber Tree ''Magnolia acuminata'' in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa, Ontario</ref>  In 1993 The [[North American Native Plant Society]] purchased [[Shining Tree Woods]] to preserve a stand of ''Magnolia acuminata,'' which is also known as "The Shining Tree".

The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[deciduous]], simple and alternate, oval to oblong, {{convert|12|–|25|cm|in}} long and {{convert|6|–|12|cm|in}} wide, with smooth margins and downy on the underside. They come in two forms, acuminate at both ends, or moderately cordate at the base (these are usually only formed high in the tree).

Unlike most magnolias, the [[flower]]s are not showy. They are typically small, yellow-green, and borne high in the tree in April through June. The leaves of ''Magnolia acuminata'' are pointed at the tip and provide it with its name - 'acuminate' means tapering to a fine point. The name "cucumber tree" refers to the unripe [[fruit]], which is green and often shaped like a small [[cucumber]]; the fruit matures to a dark red color and is {{convert|6|–|8|cm|in}} long and {{convert|4|cm|in}} broad, with the individual carpels splitting open to release the bright red [[seed]]s, 10–60 per fruit. The ripe fruit is a striking reddish orange color.

==Uses and cultivation==
Cucumber trees are excellent shade trees for [[park]]s and [[garden]]s, though they are not recommended for use as street trees. In cultivation, they typically only grow {{convert|15|–|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, although they reach over {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} in ideal [[forest]] situations. They can become quite massive: the United States national (and presumed world) champion in [[Stark County, Ohio]] measures {{convert|8|ft|m|spell=in}} in diameter and {{convert|96|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall. They grow best in deep, moist, well-drained [[soil]]s that are slightly [[acidic]] although they are tolerant of [[alkali]]ne [[soils]].

They are tricky to [[Transplanting|transplant]] due to their coarse, fleshy [[root|root system]] and should be planted shallow and moved in early spring with a good soil ball.

In the [[timber]] trade, the wood of this tree is interchangeable with that of the related [[Liriodendron|tuliptree]] (''Liriodendron tulipifera'').

''Magnolia acuminata'' has been used in hybridizing new varieties that share its yellow flower color and cold hardiness.

It additionally has been marked as a pollinator plant, supporting and attracting bees and butterflies. It is a host plant for butterflies, providing food during their larval stage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Planting Guides|url=https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/OzarkBroadleafrx1FINAL_171017_085901.pdf|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Pollinator.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" heights="185" mode="packed">
File:Magnolia acuminata leaves 01 by Line1.jpg|Leaves
File:Cucumber magnolia.jpg|Fruit
File:Cucumber Magnolia Magnolia acuminata Bark Vertical.JPG|Bark
File:Cucumber tree sections.jpg|Sections of timber from ''[[The American Woods]]''
File:Magnolia acuminata maturing fruit.jpg|Maturing fruit
File:Magnolia acuminata mature fruit.jpg|Mature fruit
File:Magnolia acuminata leaves.jpg|Leaves
File:Magnolia acuminata tree.jpg|1880 accession (#15154*D), Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/image-search/?keyword=Magnolia+acuminata&submit=Search ''Magnolia acuminata'' images at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Plant Image Database]
*Damery, Jonathan. [https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/founding-fruit/ "Founding fruit."] ''ARBlog,'' Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 28 August 2019. Accessed 16 April 2020.
*[https://arboretum.harvard.edu/stories/hunnewell-building-spring-magnolia-1986/ "Hunnewell Building, spring, magnolia, 1986."] ''Library Featured Images,'' Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 13 July 2017. Accessed 16 April 2020.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110606200035/http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/maac.htm ''Magnolia acuminata'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
*[http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=6419&flora_id=1 Flora of N.Amer-RangeMap: ''Magnolia acuminata'']
*[http://remarkabletree.cnre.vt.edu/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1249 ''Famous example at Violet Banks in Virginia'' posted at remarkabletree.cnre.vt.edu]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1249099}}

[[Category:Magnolia|acuminata]]
[[Category:Trees of Northern America]]
[[Category:Flora of the Appalachian Mountains]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1759]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Trees of humid continental climate]]