Sweetbay Magnolia

Sweetbay Magnolia

As early as 1734, John Bartram of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shipped seeds of North American trees and plants to England to the delight of scientists and gardeners.

Among some of the first seed boxes sent across the Atlantic Ocean were seeds from the Sweetbay Magnolia, which became a highly sought after species and one of the most expensive. 

Notice the silvery gray color on the back of the leaves.  This is an unmistakable sign that you’ve discovered a Sweetbay Magnolia!