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Cucumber Tree

Magnolia acuminata

Also known as: Cucumber Magnolia

Only magnolia native to the Midwest. Tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers, cucumber-like fruits ripening to red.

Family

Magnoliaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

40–70 ft

Spacing

20–35 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist, wet

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

May, June

Bloom colors

yellow, green, brown

Wildlife value

songbirds, mammals

Caterpillar hosts

~21 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

specimen

Native states

AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV