Cucumbertree is the only magnolia native to the northern part of eastern North America, reaching 90 feet in rich cove forests of the Appalachians. Its small, greenish-yellow flowers are inconspicuous, but its unusual cucumber-shaped green fruit clusters ripen to red in September, attracting birds with the red seeds. It is an ecologically significant component of old-growth cove forests.
Habitat
Rich cove forests and moist mountain slopes in the Appalachians
Diet
Red seeds in fall fruits eaten by many birds including wood thrushes and robins
How common
Common
Recent Cucumbertree sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Cucumbertree? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free