Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were used to generate informative DNA fingerprints from Magnolia denudata, M. liliiflora and cultivars of their hybrid cross, i.e., M. x soulangeana, M. x soulangeana 'Lennei', M. x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra', M. x soulangeana 'Alba', M. x sou lange ana 'Ruby', and M. x soulangeana 'San Jose'. A single specimen of unknown origin and representatives of the closely related M. campbellii and M. stellata were also included in the analysis. We show how this method may be used for distinguishing between cultivars.