The tulip tree is in bloom now. (Liriodendron) Richard took this photo on the outcrop trail at Panola Mountain. There is a small sign posted there and this is what it says:
Though widely known a tulip poplar, it is more closely related to magnolias than true poplars. One of the tallest trees in the eastern forests, it can reach heights of over 100 feet.
Interesting thing, the tree can be very tall and straight as they are here. Planted in more open spaces, they can be more spreading.
You cannot mistake the flower! It's lovely.
Also, the leaf is very distinctive...let's go back to that sign, shall we?
The simple leaves are 4-6 inches long with 4 lobes and a deeply notched tip.
It's true that the top is notched but sometimes, the leaf at the top is almost flatish. I am happy to say that I am now able to recognize tulip tree saplings just by their leaves! This does not matter one iota in this world, I know, but it tickles me no end.
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| Flower on the tulip tree! |
So many blooms in May! I took the photo above of the spiderwort on Arabia Mountain. Richard and I like to call it "tradescantia" which is the botanical name, named after an English botanist, Joseph Tradescant, the Younger. Why should I mention this in this post about the tulip tree? Apparently, this is one of the trees that he took back to England in the 1600's! Anybody in England recognize this tree? Let me know!
Oh the lovely month of May! So many beauties out there to enjoy! I love my magnolia and it's in bloom here and looking really pretty. Your area is so amazing with so many different types of trees and flowers. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your spring! After your winter, you deserve it!
DeleteIt's beautiful! I don't think tulip trees grow in this part of the world naturally, but I am pretty sure I have seen them in botanical gardens.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens I can see from my kitchen window are a delight at this time of the year, too, although with the copious rains we've had over the last week, there is a lot more green than flowers right now.
We are also very green, our April rains were the most I can remember!
DeleteI haven't seen any tulip trees here but I'd love to! Like Librarian says, they're probably in botanical gardens. I call spiderwort tradescantia too - they're far too pretty to be connected to spiders - yeuch! x
ReplyDeleteHey Julie!
DeleteI love that you call that flower "tradescantia" . And I know you say it with that nice English accent like my husband too! xx
We love our tulip trees! Most of the ones around here have pinkish blooms.
ReplyDeleteWe also have the pink tulip trees and they are beautiful!
DeleteLove May when the first flowers are blooming, really pretty.
ReplyDeleteLook out for the tulip tree now that I have showed you these blooms!
DeleteTulip trees are just beautiful. I'd never seen one so tall and straight like yours in the pictures. Ours are more of the spreading variety here. There is one down the street that catches my eye every year. May is the loveliest of months for sure.
ReplyDeleteMany trees are like that...which makes it sometimes hard to identify trees!
DeleteI love May and all the blooms!
Our tulip tree bloomed early and now the magnolias have started. We don't have one but they're all around us, both wild and in our neighbor's yards.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention magnolias...at the Monastery here in Rockdale county, the monks planted a long line of magnolias along the driveway up to the Monastery and then, a line of tulip trees...they are both lovely trees!
DeleteSuper pictures, and the one of the tree is excellent!
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks! I will tell Richard you said so!
DeleteThe close-up of the "tulips" is stupendous. I really enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteOh guess what, Richard took an even BETTER one, but I am trying to get him to enter THAT one into a photo contest!
DeleteTulip trees do very well here, too, and I have one between my yard and my west neighbors in my hedgerow....I encourage volunteers in this area and tulip trees are very willing to do this work! So beautiful. They say the Tradescantia shows excessive radiation by its color.
ReplyDeleteI have also read the same thing about the Tradescantia. I hope the ones that I see are always blue! :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely tree. I've never seen one. I'm sure I'd remember if I had.
ReplyDeleteYou see the blossoms on the ground and it is as if you are princess with flowers at your feet. Really pretty.
DeleteOur tulip trees are quite different from yours. In fact in Hawaii they are almost a pest. Here in So. Cal. they have to be protected from the occasional frost. We had one in our very small front yard. It was very young and unfortunately planted too near the house and another tree. If you are interested to see what ours look like you could visit my blog -- Flamblogger. I have quite a few photos of them posted last year.
ReplyDeleteReally, the tree that I show you here is just called a tulip tree, I suppose because the flower looks like a tulip Is why it is called that. The trees are truly beautiful and I have seen them at the Monastery and at all three local parks...Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain and Panola Mountain.
DeleteI've heard of it but this is the first time I've seen a Tulip Tree. Magnolias in gardens are getting popular here now, probably because the winters are not that harsh most years for sustained frosts in cities anymore. Beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I wonder if any anyone knows about the trees that Mr. Tradescant took back to England? I wish someone would make a movie about him! Only nerdy people like me would want to see it! :-)
DeleteWe have African tulip trees in Hawaii that are all red. The color on your tulip tree is really unusual, interesting and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRichard took a photo with the sun behind that blossom which is just amazing! I want to see Hawaii with all the flowers!! ALOHA! xx
DeleteI've never heard of that tree before.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have now! :-)
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