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[].

Common Name:

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[].
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[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can flower and produce fruit nearly all year round[].

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[].
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[].

Propagation

Seed -

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