The magnolia flowers have begun to catch the eye here and there. There are two types of magnolias, the purple magnolia and the white magnolia, and when we talk about magnolias, we usually refer to the purple ones. Magnolias are said to be the oldest flowering trees on Earth, and fossils have been excavated from the Cretaceous strata, the era when dinosaurs thrived. Magnolias have been displaying their beautiful forms like today for over 100 million years. Dinosaurs probably enjoyed magnolia flowers as well. Magnolias have various medicinal effects, and they were introduced to Japan as Chinese herbal medicine before the Heian period. Nowadays, they are also used as herbal medicine to alleviate symptoms of hay fever. Additionally, magnolias are known for their magnolia perfume and are counted among the three major flowering trees along with camellias and azaleas. Their sweet, vibrant, yet deep fragrance captivates people. While magnolias are medium-sized trees reaching about 4-5 meters in height, the upcoming white magnolia can grow up to 20 meters, with flowers measuring 8-10 cm. The petals do not fully open, and the flowers bloom upwards. When the white magnolias are in full bloom, it will be time for the kobushi (Japanese snowbell) flowers to start blooming. The flowers measure 4-5 cm, with fully opened petals, and a mix of horizontally and upward-facing blossoms.

木蓮の花があちらこちらに目につき始めました。木蓮には紫木蓮と白木蓮があり、木蓮と言えば普通には紫木蓮を指します。木蓮は、地球上で最古の花木といわれており、恐竜が栄えたと言われる白亜紀の地層からも化石が発掘されています。１億年以上も昔から今のような美しい姿を見せてくれてきたのが木蓮です。おそらく恐竜も木蓮の花を食べたに違いありません。木蓮には様々な薬効があり、日本にも平安時代以前に漢方薬として渡来し、今は、花粉症の症状緩和のための生薬としても使われています。また、木蓮はマグノリア香水としても知られ、ツバキ、ツツジとともに三大花木に数えられています。その甘く華やかでありながらも深みのある香りが人々を魅了します。木蓮は樹高4～5ｍほどの中高木ですが、これから咲き始めるハクモクレンは樹高20mにも達し、花の大きさも8～10cm、花びらは開ききらず、上向きに咲きます。ハクモクレンが咲き切った頃に、今度は、コブシの花が咲き始めます。花の大きさは4～5cm、花びらは開ききり、横向きのものと上向きのものが交じります。