Tulip Tree

(Liriodendron tulipifera)

Family: Magnoliaceae

Phylum: Anthophyta

CSU Tree Map Item #7

Distribution

By U.S. Geological Survey & Elbert L. Little, Jr., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service - USGS Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center: Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from: Elbert L. Little, Jr. (1971), Atlas of United States trees, Vol. 1, conifers and important hardwoods: U.S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication 1146, 9 p., 200 maps., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22089395

Leaves

By PumpkinSky - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61414496

Flowering

By Dcrjsr - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19112108

Fruit

By The original uploader was Gmihail at Serbian Wikipedia. - Transferred from sr.wikipedia to Commons by Micki using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0 rs, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19681573

Questions

Using the bark descriptors given in the handout, describe the type of bark this tree has.

Look at the flowers (either on the tree or in the photos) – what features do the flowers have that let you know this species belongs in the family Magnoliaceae?

If it’s related to Magnolias, why did it get named “tulip” tree?