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Illustrated by Colete Martin
One of the most recognizable flowers, magnolias are also one of the most ancient. Theirs is a lineage that dates to a time before bees even existed, so they likely evolved to be pollinated by beetles. The southern magnolia grows natively all over southeastern North America, but it's planted far and wide for its large, dark leaves and creamy flowers that tend to bloom continuously through the late summer. Some magnolia flowers even close up after their first day trapping beetles overnight before opening again the next day to release them, now covered in pollen.
Illustrated by Colete Martin
One of the most recognizable flowers, magnolias are also one of the most ancient. Theirs is a lineage that dates to a time before bees even existed, so they likely evolved to be pollinated by beetles. The southern magnolia grows natively all over southeastern North America, but it's planted far and wide for its large, dark leaves and creamy flowers that tend to bloom continuously through the late summer. Some magnolia flowers even close up after their first day trapping beetles overnight before opening again the next day to release them, now covered in pollen.