Sweetbay Magnolia is a semi-evergreen tree or shrub of coastal plain wetlands and swamps along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Its creamy white flowers emit a powerfully sweet, lemony fragrance in late spring and summer. The red seeds in fall attract many birds, and the plant is a larval host for the tiger swallowtail butterfly.
Habitat
Coastal plain swamps, wetland edges, and moist lowland forests
Diet
Red seeds eaten by many birds; larval host for tiger swallowtail butterfly
How common
Common
Recent Sweetbay Magnolia sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Sweetbay Magnolia? 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