Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Section: Common Name: Scientific Name: Family:
Account for Piedmont Cucumber Magnolia - Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata   acuminata (L.) L. var. subcordata (Spach) Dandy
Members of Magnoliaceae:
Members of Magnolia with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 4 » Family Magnoliaceae
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Authoracuminata (L.) L. var. subcordata (Spach) Dandy
DistributionMost populations occur in the central and southeastern portion of the Piedmont, from Randolph (ID not positive) to Anson and Richmond counties. These data reflect annotation of specimens at NCU in May 2025. The Richmond trees occur in a rich floodplain by the Pee Dee River; trees too tall to collect leaves or twigs (July 2023). Sight records from Lee, Chatham, and Wake counties likely refer to var. subcordata.
AbundanceThis taxon is on the NCNHP Watch List. Populations that the Taxon Editors are aware of support only a small number of trees each.
HabitatMesic to moist hardwood forests on slopes and narrow floodplain terraces of montane and Piedmont streams and rivers.
PhenologyFlowers appear from very late April through much of May.
IdentificationThe broadly elliptical leaves are quite distinct once learned. However, care must be taken when pawpaw is present, as it often produces relatively short and elliptical leaves in addition to normal elongate ones. Bark of old subcordata is deeply fissured and resembles that of cottonwood. This variety differs from nominate varieties. acuminata vegetatively by presence of dense to sparse hairs on current-year twigs; and of course by its yellow flowers.
Taxonomic Comments
Other Common Name(s)
State RankS1? [S2?]
Global RankG5T3Q
State StatusW7
US Status
USACE-agcp
USACE-emp
County Map - click on a county to view source of record.
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photographercommentsphoto_linkcountyobsType
B.A. SorrieSame data; leaves upperside. MontgomeryPhoto_natural
B.A. SorrieUwharrie NF, mesic slope forest above Yadkin River, near FR 576. Leaves underside. 6 May 2025. MontgomeryPhoto_natural
B.A. SorrieMorrow Mountain SP, base of slope, early May 2008. var. subcordata.
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