Form: This is a small tree ( 20-60 feet in height). It is usually multiple stemmed.

Leaves:
             

Arrangement: alternate, simple

Shape: oblong to elliptical

Margin: entire

Texture: white/silvery glaucous beneath

Venation: parallel

Bark: It has thin, light brown, often mottled, scaly bark.

Twigs and buds: Twigs are pubescent and pale green. Buds are long and curled at their ends.

Flowers and fruit: Flowers are white and cup-shaped. Fruit is an aggregate of follicles.

Distinguishing characteristics: Leaves have a silver underside. In contrast, southern magnolia has a brown underside.

Range: It occurs naturally along the Atlantic coastal plain from New Jersey to east Texas.

Silvics: It has intermediate tolerance to shade and often occurs on acid soils of swamps and lowland coastal plains.

Ecological and cultural importance: Wood used for furniture, venation blinds, popcicle sticks and tongue depressors. White-tail deer browse this species.