[Ko Gyu-hong's Trees and People] The Story of Magnolia, Which Has as Many as 950 Species Worldwide

<19> Fossil Plant Magnolia Bloomed 140 Million Years Ago
10m Tall, Largest Magnolia in Korea at Jindo Seokgyori
Elegant Taesanmok Blossoms in Mid-July

The white magnolia, a symbol of spring flowers, blooms white flowers before the leaves appear.

The once brilliant spring flowers have withered and fallen. The cherry blossoms, which bloomed about a week later than usual, stayed for only about ten days before departing, and on the slender branches of the forsythia, which used to welcome the new spring with yellow petals, lush green leaves now flourish. Gradually, the petals of the magnolia, a symbol of splendid spring flowers, have also fallen. Although we waited a long time, the spring passes quickly, leaving a deep sense of regret.

The magnolia species that bloom with pure white flowers like white jade and soon wither and fall are called Baekmokryeon (white magnolia). If you look around, there are magnolias currently in full bloom, and some whose flower buds have not yet matured. For example, Jamokryeon (purple magnolia), which is not as common as Baekmokryeon but can be seen throughout Korea, is now in full bloom in the central region. That is not all. Following the Jamokryeon species, the Hwangmokryeon (yellow magnolia) species, which bloom with special yellow petals, will bloom consecutively from the end of this month to early May. There is also a magnolia species that blooms only around mid-July after a brief pause. This species is called Taesanmok (Taesan magnolia). Some magnolia species even bloom in summer and continue flowering through autumn into winter.

The species of Magnolia kobus blooms with white magnolia flowers along with leaves on the ground.

Magnolias first appeared on Earth about 140 million years ago. Fossils from that era also contain magnolias, which is why they are sometimes called "fossil plants." Over the long years, magnolias have evolved into various species in natural conditions, and in modern times, new cultivars have been developed through human intervention. Ultimately, magnolia species have now flourished worldwide with as many as 950 varieties.

Although Baekmokryeon is commonly regarded as the symbol of spring flowers, there are magnolia species that bloom in midsummer. Taesanmok, which blooms luxuriantly around the time typhoons pass over the Korean Peninsula, is a summer-blooming magnolia species. Taesanmok is native to North America and, unlike the magnolia species we favor, has evergreen leaves. The white flowers that suddenly rise among the thick, large, dark green leaves are exceptionally elegant. The shape and size of Taesanmok flowers closely resemble lotus flowers, revealing the origin of the name Magnolia (木蓮), which means "lotus on a tree."

The species of Magnolia kobus blooms with white magnolia flowers along with leaves.

Like most magnolia species, Taesanmok also has a strong fragrance. Native Americans regarded this scent as very ominous and believed that sleeping under the shade of a blooming Taesanmok would cause one’s soul to be taken by ghosts. However, European settlers who migrated to North America liked Taesanmok very much. Among the 50 U.S. states, Mississippi and Louisiana even designated Taesanmok as their state flower. This is an example of how the same scent can be perceived very differently depending on culture.

There is a special Taesanmok tree in Korea. It was a gift brought by U.S. President Obama in 2014. Known as the "Jackson Magnolia," this tree once brightened the White House garden with its greenery. It was a regular feature in White House landscapes but succumbed to the weight of time and was uprooted in December 2017.

Jackson Magnolia was first planted by Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, who was elected in 1828. During his campaign, after his wife Rachel passed away, he planted the tree in his garden to pray for her peaceful rest and resurrection. After his election, he transplanted it to the White House garden, expressing his longing for his wife. Americans, knowing this story, have called this tree the "Jackson Magnolia," considering it a symbol of eternal rest and resurrection.

Our native magnolia, but called 'Chinese white magnolia,' has reached the end of its life at Seokgyo Elementary School in Jindo.

When President Obama visited Korea in April 2014, he brought a sapling of the Jackson Magnolia to pray for the eternal rest and resurrection of the Sewol ferry disaster victims. The sapling brought by Obama was planted on the grounds of Danwon High School in Ansan and has been well cared for ever since.

Magnolias are loved not only by Americans but by people worldwide. Among them, the ones we like most and often plant nearby are Baekmokryeon and Jamokryeon, both native to China. Unfortunately, despite having native Korean magnolias, they are not well known. In fact, the population of native Korean magnolias has declined to the point of being nearly endangered.

Our native magnolias grow naturally on Jeju Island and are difficult to cultivate in the central regions, making it hard for the Korean people to become familiar with them. However, the greater regret is that the decline in native magnolia populations is not solely due to geographical conditions but also because they have been overshadowed by the dominance of Baekmokryeon and Jamokryeon.

The rare yellow magnolia species in our country blooms later than the purple magnolia.

Our native magnolias also bloom white flowers but differ from the Chinese Baekmokryeon. The most distinct difference lies in the flower clusters. Both have six petals, but in Baekmokryeon, three sepals transform to look like petals, making it appear as if there are nine petals. Our native magnolias bloom with only six petals, so compared to the lush and modestly blooming Baekmokryeon, their aesthetic appeal is somewhat less. Consequently, people who want to grow magnolias for their beauty have chosen the Chinese Baekmokryeon over our native magnolias. This process has gradually led to our native magnolias fading from public attention.

Among our native magnolias, there was a tree that lived for many years and had a very beautiful appearance. It stands on the grounds of Seokgyo Elementary School in Jindo, Jeollanam-do. This tree was designated as a local monument by Jeollanam-do in 2002 and has been protected since. However, even in the process of designating this tree as a representative monument of the region, it lost its proper name and was officially called "Jindo Seokgyori Baekmokryeon." Although the Seokgyo Elementary School magnolia is undoubtedly our native magnolia with six petals, it lost its name during the designation process.

Our native magnolia, but called 'Chinese white magnolia,' the magnolia at Seokgyo Elementary School in Jindo that has reached the end of its life.

The Jindo Seokgyori magnolia was planted in 1920 when Seokgyo Elementary School was founded, making it about 100 years old. It is considered an old tree among magnolias. Except for the Taesanmok species, which grow very large, this tree is the largest among all magnolia species in Korea in terms of size. The tree is over 10 meters tall, and the spread of its branches is about 11 meters. The trunk divides into several parts from the base, and the circumference of the roots is nearly 3 meters.

The trunk splits into three from the ground, and the branches spread evenly in all directions, creating a beauty that overwhelms the surrounding trees. Nearby, hackberry and Quercus variabilis trees are planted in succession, forming a small school forest. The scene when magnolia flowers bloom and other trees sprout light green leaves is exceptionally beautiful. This tree, which has been part of the school's history, is naturally a representative symbol of Seokgyo Elementary School and the island village of Jindo. School officials, students, and villagers have all devoted themselves to protecting it with great care.

The white magnolia, a symbol of spring flowers, blooms white flowers before the leaves appear.

The Jindo Seokgyori magnolia, a representative tree of our native magnolias, has brightened our spring every year with its beautiful appearance. However, it began to decline a few years ago, was eventually declared dead, and was removed from the list of local monuments on September 10, 2020. Our native magnolia’s representative tree lived and died under the name of the Chinese tree, "Baekmokryeon." It is deeply regrettable that our native tree, which was not even called by its proper name "Magnolia" while alive, never regained its name even at the moment of death.

For Homo sapiens, who have lived for only about 250,000 years, it is hard to imagine that magnolias have quietly welcomed spring on this land since 140 million years ago. They have guarded a corner of human life as a symbol of spring or resurrection. This season makes us cherish even a single magnolia petal, trampled and lost under the footsteps of passing people.

Ko Gyu-hong, Tree Columnist

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.