Листя магнолії

The tree and its leaves

Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, is a flowering tree native to the Southeastern United States coastal plain, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. The tree reaches 27.5 m in height and bears large, white, fragrant flowers up to 30 cm across. The leaves are simple and broadly ovate, 12-20 cm long and 6-12 cm broad, with smooth margins. They are dark green, stiff, and leathery. The leaves contain coumarins and sesquiterpene lactones, and they have been used in decorative floral arrangements.

Composition of the leaf oil

The essential oil of the leaves has been analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The leaf and flower oils are rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons, at 30.9% and 43.8% respectively. α-Pinene, β-pinene and 1,8-cineole are among the major components of the leaf oil.

In the leaf oil analysed, β-pinene makes up 23.0%, β-elemene 13.6% and α-pinene 6.3%. Linalool makes up 0.7%, β-caryophyllene 3.4% and 1,8-cineole 4.1% of the same oil. Bornyl acetate, reported at 20.9% as the major compound of leaf oil by earlier authors, was not detected in that sample. Differences in the chemical composition of essential oils can be attributed to factors including geographic location, genetic factors, climate, crop stage, harvesting time and processing method.

Some of its components

1,8-Cineole has a fresh camphor-like odor. Linalool has a floral scent with a touch of spiciness. Caryophyllene is one of the chemical compounds that contributes to the aroma of black pepper.

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