The Magnolia Emerges

Over the weekend the Magnolia blossom suddenly unfurled itself to the delight of animals, insects and people alike!  You can see below that Yeshi was pleasantly enchanted.

Here’s the flower a little closer in.

And a little closer.

And below, a pollinating insect hovers nearby, seemingly captivated.

Magnolia bud is used in Chinese Medicine, and apparantly has been for thousands of years.  It is, it seems, used to clear hay fever, and to treat other respiratory issues.  The bark is also used.  Look at this article (TCM Uses for Endangered Mangolia, by Dawn Smith) for some references to its uses by a trained herbalist.