Magnolia

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Blooming Magnolias in the springtime are a spectacular sight. The magnolia family accounts for about 200 species distributed mainly in two regions: Asia (from the Himalayas through China to Japan, and Southeast Asia) and the Americas.

Magnolia was named after French botanist Pierre Magnol , the man behind the current scheme of botanical classification.

Magnolia is believed to be one of the most ancient flowering plants. Dinosaurs saw Magnolias blossoming. There were no bees back then but beetles, creatures three times older than the magnolia, extracted the magnolia’s protein-rich pollen, as they still do nowadays.




































Magnolia is a significant flower in Chinese and Japanese culture, and has been cultivated there for centuries. Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) has been the official state flower (emblem) of Louisiana since July 12,1900. Mississippi is known as the "Magnolia State," where Magnolia has been the official state flower since 1952 and the official state tree since 1938.

Magnolia Virginiana species from Virginia was the first Magnolia in Europe.  It was sent in 1687 by the English missionary and naturalist John Banister  to Henry Compton, English bishop and a great gardener of his day. Soon after discovering the American species, the Western world was introduced to Chinese Magnolias (Magnolia Denudata and Liliflora) and then to the beautiful Star Magnolia (Stellata) from Japan in the mid-nineteenth century. One of the most exciting discoveries was the "queen of Magnolias"-- pink Magnolia Campbellii from the Himalaya at the beginning of the previous century.
    Some of the most popular and oldest Magnolia species:
 

Magnolia in Perfumes

Magnolia flowers are often fragrant. The scent is creamy sweet with a light citrus nuance (Magnolia Grandiflora). Magnolia is a common ingredient in floral perfume bouquets, and there are also several fragrances with Magnolia in a starring role.

                   
                     Magnolia by Yves Rocher

This perfume was made in 1983 and is now discontinued, but you can still find it on eBay. I bought a bottle produced in Morocco under the license of Yves Rocher few years ago.

Magnolia was a very popular fragrance, a heady floral composition, very intensive and crowded with notes in the bright style of the 1980's. Very possibly it is the darkest and heaviest Magnolia perfume, with a strong personality and an honorable mission to guard the memories of at least two generations.

It seemed so romantic just two decades ago, but as I smell it today I think how quickly and drastically our preferences in smell can change. Magnolia is hopelessly stuck in '80's, but it is still dear to me.
 

Magnolia Romana by Eau D'Italie
 

Magnolia Romana is the sixth fragrance in the Eau D'Italie perfume line. Like other fragrances in the line, Magnolia Romana is inspired by Bella Italia, celebrating Spring in one of the most beautiful and famous parks in Rome – Villa Borghese.

Magnolia Romana is a dewy floral composition with a lot of the ozone we detect after a brief spring shower. Shiny greenness is everywhere, and even the soil breathes with life. Spicy notes together with the bitterness of citrus branches make a picturesque background behind the soft floral notes. This perfume is not a magnolia close-up; it's a poetic landscape with a pond near the magnolia trees.

        
Magnolia Nobile by Acqua di Parma

Magnolia Nobile is the second floral aristocrat in the line after Iris Nobile, and was introduced in 2009. While reading reviews of this scent on the perfume pages, I saw many complaints about the citrus notes in the composition. I was lucky enough to smell a real magnolia flower in the park right after. It was Grandiflora, and it does smell citrusy.

Antoine Maisondieu recreated the creaminess of the flower, balanced with a bright citrus note very close to Nature. With a puff of transparent, powdery vetiver as a finishing touch in the base, the scent has a dusky, glowing, noble look.

Explore more beautiful Magnolias:

Magnolia by L`Erbolario
Magnolia Petal by Ayala Moriel
Magnolia, Orchid & Mimosa by Antica Farmacista
Magnolia Blossom by Bath and Body Works
Eau De Fleur de Magnolia by Kenzo (Fleur Collection)
Eau du Val (Magnolia) by L`Occitane en Provence
Magnolia Pourpre by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier

The World of Magnolias (Hardcover) by Dorothy J. Callaway
Magnolias: A Gardener's Guide (Hardcover) by Jim Gardiner

Images: Image of Sweetbay Magnolia by and (c)2008 Derek Ramsey

Author: Jeca (jeca)
Fragrantica Member