Observations on magnolias at Lincoln University

Abstract

In the winter of 1990 the nucleus of a Magnolia collection was planted at Lincoln University. This was in a block within the Horticultural Research Area that was no longer required as a stool bed for producing apple rootstocks. Additional plants were purchased in 1991 and 1992. These replaced a smaller existing number of established magnolias, removed to make way for the then new Commerce Building. After 1992 further development was slow until a grant was given by the Brian Mason Scientific & Technical Trust to increase the collection. In June 1998 the Brian Mason Scientific & Technical Trust awarded a grant of $5000 for additional plant material and labelling. With that grant the collection has been broadened from magnolias to include other genera and species within the Magnoliaceae family. The collection now includes approximately one hundred and twenty plants from four genera; Magnolia, Manglietia, Michelia and Liriodendron.Three other lesser known genera; Elmerrillia, Kmeria and Pachylarnax also belong to the Magnoliaceae family, but are not represented in the collection. The closest New Zealand examples includes Pseudowintera species which at one stage were regarded as being in the Magnoliaceae, but are now classified in a closely related family the Winteraceae. Currently there are still a number of species that will be added to the collection when we able to source the seed or plants. Most of the species within the Lincoln University collection are native to temperate eastern Asia and North America.