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Useful Tropical Plants

Magnolia portoricensis

Bello

Magnoliaceae


Results of DNA analysis in various studies (see, for example, R.B. Figlar & H.P. Nooteboom, Blumea 49: 87-100. 2004) have supported the concept that the various genera comprising the subfamily Magnolioideae would be more consistently treated as a single genus, Magnolia. This is the treatment followed here, though it is still not universally accepted[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

Magnolia portoricensis
Drawing of a flowering stem
Photograph by: Stahl A.; Estudios sobre la flora de Puerto Rico
© The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

General Information

Magnolia portoricensis is an evergreen tree with a narrow crown; it can grow up to 21 metres tall. The bole can be up to 90cm in diameter[
447
Title
Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Publication
 
Author
Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
Publisher
USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
Year
1964
ISBN
 
Description
Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
The tree produces a good quality wood, which is harvested from the wild for local use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Caribbean - Puerto Rico.

Habitat

Forests[
447
Title
Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Publication
 
Author
Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
Publisher
USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
Year
1964
ISBN
 
Description
Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height15.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



The plant can flower and produce fruit nearly all year round[
447
Title
Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Publication
 
Author
Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
Publisher
USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
Year
1964
ISBN
 
Description
Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood when freshly cut is olive brown or yellowish green, later becoming brown; the sapwood is light brown. The wood is hard, heavy, fine-textured, and spicy fragrant, and is susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. It is used for making furniture, cabinetwork, and similar purposes[
447
Title
Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Publication
 
Author
Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
Publisher
USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
Year
1964
ISBN
 
Description
Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species, but a general description of the wood for members of this genus growing in Central America and the Caribbean is as follows:-
The heartwood is olive-green when freshly cut, becoming light yellowish-brown to greenish-brown sometimes with a purplish tinge upon exposure, purple, dark brown, or nearly black streaks are common; the wide band of sapwood is white to greenish when first cut, darkening somewhat on exposure. The texture is fine and uniform; the grain straight to interlocked; lustre is low to moderate; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The heartwood is rated durable to highly durable with respect to deterioration by both white-rot and brown-rot fungi, but vulnerable to dry-wood termite attack. The wood is easy to air season, drying rapidly with no or slight warp and checking. It saws and machines easily, however in planing there may be considerable tearing where grain is irregular. It is used for utility veneer and plywood, millwork, furniture and cabinet work, general interior and exterior construction, boat planking, and turnery[
316
Title
Tropical Timbers of the World. Ag. Handbook No. 607.
Publication
 
Author
Chudnoff. Martin.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service. Wisconsin.
Year
1984
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details on the properties of the wood of almost 400 species of trees from the Tropics.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Magnolia+portoricensis>

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