Yulan Magnolia

Magnolia denudata · Magnoliaceae · 백목련

How to spot it

Fragrant white flowers that face upward before the leaves emerge, and obovate to oblong leaves.

Look

Leaves: Alternate simple leaves are dark green above and paler beneath.
Flowers: Fragrant cream to ivory flowers open upward before the leaves.
Fruit: Brown, elongated cone-like fruit clusters reveal red seeds hanging on thin threads when ripe.
Bark: The bark is thin and easily damaged.

Where it grows

In Korea: Planted (Hanbat Arboretum)
Native to: Native to eastern and southern China.
Ecology: Horticultural sources record that birds eat the seeds and butterflies visit the flowers.

Sources