Many people are unsure about the toxicity of the beautiful-looking magnolia. But don't worry, the tree is only mildly poisonous to both humans and animals.
Magnolia contains alkaloid magnoflorin
In particular, the bark and the wood of the magnolia contain the alkaloid magnoflorin, which is harmless to humans and at most causes mild symptoms of poisoning. Poisoning would cause eczema on the skin and mucous membranes and, in severe cases, convulsions. To do this, however, you would have to nibble on the bark or nibble a little on the wood. The probability of this is likely to be low. However, as a rule, hybrids are more toxic than the traditional magnolia varieties, which have been cultivated in China and East Asia for centuries to millennia.
Edible petals and magnolia in medicine
In the Chinese imperial era, the empress had the privilege of being able to taste a particularly exclusive dish: crispy petals of the magnolia species "Magnolia cylindrica" or "Magnolia hedyosperma" fried in a fluffy batter. Both species are only found in China, but are now on the Red List of Threatened Species. In addition, flower buds and the bark of some magnolia species are traditionally used as medicines. In traditional Chinese medicine, the bark of Magnolia officinalis is the starting point for a sedative. The North American natives, on the other hand, used the bark of the evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) to treat intermittent fever.
Magnolia is poisonous to small animals
Although the magnolia's weak poison is harmless to humans, it can cause big problems for small animals - even if they don't necessarily have to end fatally. Rabbits and cats in particular are at risk if they nibble on the bark too often. Leaves and flowers, on the other hand, appear to be harmless, and they only contain negligibly small amounts of the poisonous alkaloid.
tips and tricks
As a precaution, sensitive people should wear gloves during cutting and other care work so that the poison cannot get to the skin or mucous membranes.