Magnolia doltsopa michelia

Sweet michelia in front of Old Chemistry. Sairus Patel, 18 Feb 2020

Magnolia doltsopa leaf. From Trees of Stanford and Environs, Ronald Bracewell

This is the second most popular of the evergreen magnolias in the area; Southern magnolia (M. grandiflora) easily takes first place. When in bloom, it looks quite different from the Southern at a glance: the milky flowers seem much more profuse and more evenly distributed over the crown. This is mostly accounted for by the fact that its flowers grow from the axils of the leaves (actually, from special short shoots, covered in down, that emanate from the axils), whereas Southern magnolia flowers only at its branch tips. Sweet michelia’s bloom period is also much shorter, perhaps three weeks, peaking around Valentine’s Day. Southern magnolia’s blossoms emerge here and there on its canopy over the course of the entire summer.

This difference in the position of flowers on the branches was the main way the genus Michelia – the former home of sweet michelia, champaca, and others – could be separated from Magnolia at the time; there were other more obscure points of divergence as well. But recent molecular studies have resulted in taxonomists “sinking” all Michelia species into an expanded Magnolia, the verb aptly describing the feelings of those who cherished the name Michelia and the opportunity to hold forth on floral distinctions. Some consolation has been drawn when considering that the michelias still form a neat section Michelia within the newly swollen ranks of Magnolia, and that the mellifluous word remains in its common name.

The “sweet” indicates the reputed strong fragrance of the white flowers, which are about 4 inches across; our Bay Area specimens seem only lightly scented at best. Numerous stamens are positioned in a spiral pattern around a central core. The leathery leaves are glossy and deep green; their undersides are sometimes covered by a fuzzy rust down that provides pleasing contrast.

Campus’s only specimen, named “Bud’s Tree,” is near the southeast corner of Old Chemistry. Marked by a stone honoring Emeritus Professor Bud Homsy, it was originally planted in 1996 near the southwest corner of the building.

Variety ‘Silver Cloud’ was planted in 2001 on the north side of Sequoia Hall at Lomita Mall, and the north side of Braun Music Center. The latter disappeared soon after. Another young example was planted in 2013 north of the fountain in front of the Bing Wing of Green Library, replacing the dead Laburnum ‘Vossii’, which in turn had replaced the dead maytens. It too was removed a couple of years later.

In Palo Alto, a row of sweet michelias can be seen on the Oregon Expressway median just south of Louis Road; the same number of California incense cedars inhabit the median on that block as well, as though some civic conflict about planting natives or exotics there had resulted in a truce. Another specimen is at Gamble Garden, in front of the Carriage House. A magnificent 25-foot exemplar at 560 Lemon Street, Menlo Park, is smothered in blossoms by early February, with a myriad flower buds promising an extended blooming season.

The fragrant wood of sweet michelia is reported to be used in constructing houses and furniture across its native range.

Illustrations: Bud’s Tree, just past the height of bloom, 14 Feb 2006.