Magnolia biondii

Magnolia biondii is widely distributed in China. It is commonly found in Gansu, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan provinces. It is usually found in forests in the mountains.

Magnolia biondii is a deciduous tree that grows mainly in temperate forests in the mountains. It has a broadly conical to spreading habit.{{cite book|last=Coombes|first=Allen|title=The book of leaves : a leaf-by-leaf guide to six hundred of the world's great trees|year=2010|publisher=The University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago|isbn=9780226139739|pages=295}}

Magnolia biondii can grow up to {{convert|12|m|ft|round=5|abbr=on}}. Its bark has a pale grey, smooth appearance. It produces simple leaf type with ovate shape. In general, leaf size varies and can be up to {{convert|20|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}, long and {{convert|10|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}, across. In addition, they are taper-pointed at the tip and wedge-shaped at the base with a short petiole of up to {{convert|2|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}}. Furthermore, leaves are arranged in an alternative pattern. Leaves have pinnate venation. Moreover, stamens and carpels are spirally arranged.{{cite book|last=Hutchinson|first=Joan|title=The family of flowering plants|year=1973|publisher=The Clarendon Press|location=Oxford|pages=153–6}}

Flowers of Magnolia biondii are small and white and have strong fragrance associated to them. They can grow up to {{convert|8|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}}. Flower parts are in sets of threes. In general, flowers have six petals and three sepals. More specifically, the petals are pink at the base and white at the top. Furthermore, flowers have cone-shaped receptacles that bear spirally arranged carpels from which styles emerge.

Stamens are cream-white in color. In addition, flowers take several years to appear. Because of the small size and long growth period, Magnolia biondii is seldom used for ornamental purposes.

Magnolia biondii produce aggregate fruits that consist of numerous separate carpels of one gynoecium. The fruits form in cylindrical cluster and protrude on a stalk. Each cluster can grow up to {{convert|14|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}} long. Individual fruitlets are red at first, then turn brown upon maturity.

Dried flower buds and petals of Magnolia biondii are considered food in some parts of China. Fresh flower buds can be prepared by mixing with vinegar and ginger. Petals can be fried with flour batter coating.{{cite web|last=Micleu|first=Cindy|title=Xi Yi Hua|url=http://www.jadeinstitute.com/jade/herbal-detailpage.php?show=140&order=chinese_name|work=Chinese Her Gallery|publisher=The Jade Institute|accessdate=27 April 2012}}

The dried flower buds of Magnolia biondii are used medicinally in China and Japan.{{cite book|last=Duke|first=James|title=Handbook of medicinal herbs|year=2001|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton|isbn=0849329280|pages=247}} They are used to relieve coughing and nasal obstruction. Pharmacologically, five lignans including pinoresinol dimethyl ether, magnolin, epi-magnolin A, fargesin, and demethoxyaschantin have been attributed to the medicinal effect of Magnolia biondii.{{cite journal|last=Ma|first=Y|author2=Han, G|title=Biologically active lignins from Magnolia biondii Pamp|journal=National Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs|date=Feb 1995|volume=20|issue=2|pages=102–4, 127|pmid=7779269}}

Magnolia biondii is closely related to the Japanese Willow-Leaf Magnolia, Magnolia salicifolia, which has aromatic foliage and shoots. Resemblance is also observed in Magnolia dendata. Magnolia biondii is generally distinguished by its smaller size, narrower leaves, and smaller flowers.

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biondii