San Francisco Botanical Garden

Common name: Guatemalan magnolia (English)

Family: Magnoliaceae (Magnolia)

Distribution: Guatemala

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Evergreen tree

Bloom: Spring

Height: 15 m

Magnificent Magnolia Facts: Found in the cloud forest of Central America, Magnolia guatemalensis is native to Guatemala, and grows at elevations between 1,300 – 2,600 meters. M. guatemalensis is considered an indicator species which reflects the impact of environmental change in cloud forest habitat.. According to the IUCN Red List, M. guatemalensis is a polymorphic species, meaning it does not always have uniform physical characteristics, and the leaves occasionally lack pubescence on the lower surface. The leaves and flower petals are also variable in size and shape. While the IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, due to its wide distribution, this species has a decreasing population and is under threat in its native habitat. In Honduras, the threat of deforestation is caused by illegal logging, forest fires and the expansion of cattle ranches and farms. Honduras has one of the highest rates of deforestation in Latin American and has experienced a 37% reduction in forest cover between 1990-2005. El Salvador also experiences high levels of deforestation and is the second most deforested country in Latin America after Haiti approximately 85% of its forest cover since 1960. This is due to the country’s large population that relies on the collection of wood for fuel and subsistence hunting and agriculture. In Guatemala, forests are cleared for agricultural land.

Growing Conditions: Part Shade/Part Sun in regular to moist water