Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae native to the southeastern United States. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin words grandis "big", and flor- "flower".
Magnolia grandiflora is most commonly known as southern magnolia, a name derived from its range in the Southern United States. Reaching 27.5 m (90 ft) in height, Magnolia grandiflora is a large, striking evergreen tree, with large dark green leaves up to 20 cm (7 3⁄4 in) long and 12 cm (4 3⁄4 in) wide, and large, white, fragrant flowers up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. Although endemic to the evergreen lowland subtropical forests on the Gulf and south Atlantic coastal plain, magnolia grandiflora is widely cultivated in warmer areas around the world. The timber is hard and heavy, and has been used commercially to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.
