Saucer Magnolia -- a sure sign of spring!

Some call it the Tulip tree; others call it the Japanese magnolia. Magnolia x Soulangiana, the Saucer magnolia, is a lovely deciduous flowering tree. Its showy flowers are large and goblet shaped, and when opened fully resemble a 'saucer,' with the petals ranging from 5" to as much as 10" in diameter.

They are all over Mobile, but finding a place to stop and snap some pictures isn't that easy.  Here are a few shots taken over this past weekend.

The photographs do not really show the natural beauty of these lovely trees.