A unique seedpod

The Southern magnolia is a broad-leaf evergreen tree native to the southern part of the U.S., also known as the Deep South. Its bloom is white. It may grow to about 100 feet tall, but usually does not exceed 65 feet.

Humans have extended the range of the Southern magnolia into places such as the Ohio River Valley, southeastern Missouri and California. Because of the beauty and sweet fragrance of the Southern magnolia flowers, many cultivars have been developed that now grow in much of the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia. Many of these cultivars bloom pink.

Shown here is a seedpod I photographed Sept. 13. in Cape Girardeau County. Small red berries soon will emerge from the pod. Songbirds, raccoons, squirrels and turkeys will eat the berries, which contain seeds.