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MAGNOLIA CORIACEA
Common Name: Magnolia coriacea
Scientific Name: Magnolia coriacea (syn. Michelia coriacea)
Categories: Culturally Important
Introduction
Magnolia coriacea is found only in small populations, growing as scattered individuals across the south-eastern Yunnan Province. The small numbers of remaining individuals makes it highly vulnerable to extinction, and reduces the chances of prolific natural regeneration. A new research project was established in 2008 in collaboration with Kunming Botanical Gardens to trial hand-pollination and germination techniques of resultant seeds. This project will aim to bring this species into cultivation in more botanical gardens, to better conserve the species.
Why is this species important?
Very little research has been conducted about the ethnobotanical importance of this species. Therefore, additional research is needed to discover the role of this tree within its surrounding ecosystem and also its potential role in the human world. Future research may reveal that this species is of importance for medicine or other beneficial use. If it is lost then it would represent the continuing trend of species extinction, leading to further reduction in biodiversity at both a local and global scale.
Where is it found?
This species grows only in the Xichou and Malipo Counties of south-eastern Yunnan, China. It grows within evergreen woodland habitat on limestone mountain slopes at 1,200-1,450m altitude. It has been estimated by the Global Trees Campaign, after completion of field surveys that approximately 450-500 scattered individuals remain in the wild.
How do people use it?
Within the Malipo County, local people believe that the tree is a symbol of good luck.
Why is it threatened?
Most of the remaining individuals are located outside nature reserves. Poor fruiting and low natural regeneration are also a problem, and the reasons for this are current poorly understood.
What conservation action is needed?
In 2008 a new research project was established in collaboration with Kunming Botanic Gardens to examine the reproductive biology of this species. This has included hand pollination, tissue culture and germination trials. It is recommended that more ex-situ collections of this species are held within local botanic gardens, because it is not currently widely cultivated. Raising awareness of the importance of conserving this species among both local communities and government authorities is also vital. This has been done so far by encouraging local people to actively participate in undertaking field surveys of existing populations.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to BGCI for writing this profile.
Read more about the GTC project to conserve Magnolia coriacea.
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