You may be a fan of scent or fragrance, and after going through your perfume’s ingredients, you notice magnolia as the main ingredient and are left wondering, what does the magnolia flower smell like?
Magnolia is a group of shrubs and trees with about 120 or more species. The plants have flowers with a fragrance that varies as per the species of magnolia.
Stay tuned as I elaborate on the most common species of magnolia, their scent, and their benefits.
Most Common Types of Magnolia and Their Scent
1. Yulan
Yulan magnolia blooms early and flowers in springtime. It has a sweet lemon scent once it flowers.
Its flowers are mostly white bar purpurascens with flower petals that are light pink and rose on the outside.
Yulan is one of the most fragrant magnolias and grows to about 40 feet.
2. Southern
Southern magnolia brings forth lemon-scented flowers that are large. It flowers in most instances in late spring.
A mature southern magnolia may grow up to 80 feet and bear large lemon-scented flowers.
The scent may appear a little late in its growing season as it produces and blooms sporadically in fall and summer.
3. Anise
Anise magnolia brings flowers with sweet licorice or anise scent. Its flowers are light pink or white.
When cut or crushed, the anise magnolia’s stem will give you a unique fragrance with anise flavors.
The anise magnolia tree is narrow compared to other magnolia and can grow as tall as 30 feet.
4. Saucer
Saucer magnolia is a hybrid of soulangeana and magnolia. It has white petals with patchy purple, pink, and deep rose shades.
The hybrid magnolia brings forth lemon-scented flowers, and its stem, when peeled or cut, produces the same lemony fragrance as its flowers.
5. Loebner Magnolia
Loebner magnolia is a hybrid of loebneri and magnolia. The magnolia grows in height from between 20 and 30 feet.
The magnolia produces flowers that are star-shaped in appearance. Its stem produces a sweet fragrance like its flowers when ground or cut.
Importance of Magnolia Scent
1. Aromatherapy
Magnolia has a calming smell that has made it be used as a form of aromatherapy. Its fragrance aids in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress.
Magnolia contains an ingredient called linalool, an essential oil that will offer a calming and soothing sensation when applied to your skin.
2. Medicine
Magnolia flowers and bark can also be used, especially in traditional medicine.
Magnolia has been used as medicine since ancient times, especially by Chinese people, and now has broken borders globally as a form of herbal medicine.
The plant can also help ladies ease pain in the lower abdomen when menstruating. You can also use it for anti-allergy, liver disease prevention, diabetes, and respiratory disorders.
You should be aware that caution should be taken when using magnolia as medicine for special cases like pregnant or lactating women, as it may contain oils that may be harmful to infants.
3. Perfume
Magnolia is also common in the perfume industry. It is a common ingredient in several perfume collections, especially floral ones.
Magnolia-scented perfumes come with a feminine flair, a mix of light citrus undertone, and a creamy sweet custard fragrance that ladies find irresistible.
It is common to come across many intense notes of magnolia floral perfumes, as they have an intoxicating blend and vibrant floral aesthetic finish.
Rare species are used to get the best magnolia perfumes that have a huge significance and value.
Such perfumes may use a rare magnolia species called Virginia as an ingredient, but it’s a bit costly compared to the rest.
Generally, magnolia-scented perfumes are for you who love to smell good and feel confident when wearing a fragrance.
4. Wildlife Refuge
Attractive white magnolia flowers are cross-pollinated by butterflies, bees, and beetles at night when they come for nectar, and through that process, magnolia pods form, and later, seeds emerge.
The seeds of magnolia are a rich source of nutrition for wildlife, especially the songbirds that feed on the seeds before continuing their migration routine.
The Symbolism of the Magnolia Flower Scent
The sweet fragrance, strength, and endurance of the magnolia trees and their flowers have made some see them as having spiritual meaning attached to them.
The magnolia flower is believed to symbolize perseverance, love of nature, and nobility. That is because it is considered subtle and soft in color yet firm in appearance.
For instance, men tend to give their female romantic partners magnolia flowers to symbolize appreciation for their beauty.
Magnolia flower colors have various symbolisms, as highlighted below;
- Purple flowers symbolize good health and luck in life.
- White flowers symbolize perfection and utmost purity.
- Pink flowers symbolize joyfulness and innocence.
- Green flowers symbolize good fortune in all your endeavors.
Conclusion
Magnolia flowers are appealing and have a sweet fragrance that attracts humans and wildlife. It is also fascinating to you to now realize that your favorite floral perfume has a magnolia flower ingredient in it.
Please review the above content to familiarize yourself with the magnolia tree and its flowers.
