Identifying Southern Magnolia Leaves

• 1). Look at the size. Magnolia leaves are large, ranging from 8 to 12 inches long and 4 to 8 inches wide.
  
  
• 2). Inspect the texture. Southern magnolia leaves are bright green, glossy and leathery. The undersides have rust-colored fuzz.
  
  
• 3). Watch for winter foliage. Southern magnolias drop leaves regularly, but remain evergreen year-round.
  
  

Identifying Star and Saucer Magnolias

• 1). Look at the shape of the leaves. Star and saucer magnolias have elongated, oval shaped leaves that alternate on the stem.
  
  
• 2). Inspect the color of the leaf. Star and saucer magnolia leaves are smaller than their southern cousins, but they are also bright green with a rust-colored fuzz on the underside.
  
  
• 3). Watch for winter leaf loss. Star and saucer magnolia trees lose their leaves in late fall. The leaves turn pale yellow before dropping.