Magnolia virginiana, most commonly known as sweetbay magnolia, or merely sweetbay, is a member of the magnolia family, Magnoliaceae. It was the first magnolia to be scientifically described under mode
Magnolia virginiana flower 2
Mark Catesby (1731), Natural History of Carolina etc., plate 39, with Magnolia lauri folio, subtus albicante, the Sweet Bay (Magnolia virginiana) and Coccothraustes coeruleus, the Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)