Broad leaves of the magnolia borealis
The Magnolia borealis is known as kobushi in Japanese which means fist …probably because the fruit are clustered together in the shape of a fist.
kobushi (Magnolia borealis tree)
The Magnolia tree has an ancient history:
Magnolias are thought to represent the most primitive of flowering plants (alongside of the lily) with ancient fossil evidence dating to 58 million years ago.
Interesting fact: Did you know that magnolia flowers are pollinated by BEETLES not by bees?
Magnolia flowers evolved so long ago before bees and other flying pollinators were around, so they were pollinated by beetles which are more ancient insects.
NATURE IN JAPAN 