The
tuliptree magnolia is also called the
tulip poplar or
yellow poplar, though it is neither a
tulip nor a
poplar. It is easily recognized by its fruit, which is a cone-like aggregate of
samaras, each of which has a roughly tetrahedral seed with one edge attached to the central conical spike and the other edge attached to the wing. The leaves look vaguely like those of the
sycamore. The flowers have three sepals and three petals, which are similar enough to be called tepals, as are those of the tulip. The stamens and pistils are arranged spirally around the spike; the stamens fall off, and the pistils become the samaras.