Family: Magnoliaceae

Form: Dense low branching tree, evergreen with pyramidal form reaching up to 100 ft

Leaves: Alternate, simple, elliptic, entire, dark green glossy above and pubescent beneath

Stem/Bark: Smooth grayish, mottled

Flower: Perfect, large, white, terminal, solitary, very fragrant, petals thick, curling upwards as saucer like platforms

Fruit: Cone-like aggregate of follicles; red when ripe

Comments: Similar to Swamp Bay (M. virginiana), but distinguished by having larger flowers and leaves that are not silvery beneath.