Lower Township near Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sweetbay Magnolia

Bradner's Run Nature Trail, Cape May, NJ

— Historic Cold Spring Village —

Sweetbay Magnolia Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2022

1. Sweetbay Magnolia Marker

Inscription. Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), also known as Swamp Magnolia, was a plant prized by early settlers and sent back to Europe as early as 1688. Its mild lemony-scented flowers bloom continuously from spring through summer. Magnolia seeds ripen in mid-Autumn and are eaten and spread by songbirds, wild turkey, quail, and mammals such as gray squirrels and white-footed mice. Seeds are high in fat and a good energy source for migratory birds. They are eaten by eastern Kingbirds, Towhees, Mockingbirds, Northern Flickers, Robins, Wood Thrushes, Blue-jays, and Red-eyed Vireos. Pollinators, especially beetles, are attracted are attracted to the pollen that is high in protein. It attracts Tiger Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail, and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies.

Erected by Historic Cold Spring Village. (Marker Number 11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1688.

Location. 38° 58.549′ N, 74° 54.737′ W. Marker is near Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Lower Township. It is on Seashore Road (County Road 626) 0.4 miles north of Academy Street (County

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Road 639) when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape May NJ 08204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pitch Pine (a few steps from this marker); Southern Arrowwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Red Mulberry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to the Nature Trail at Bradner's Run (about 300 feet away); Historic Cold Spring Village (about 300 feet away); Welcome to the Nature Trail at Bradner's Trail (about 400 feet away); Southern Red Oak (about 400 feet away); Tulip Poplar (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape May.

Additional commentary.
1. Bias in the marker
This marker features biased language considering that the Americas were already settled prior to colonization by Europeans. Rather than using early settlers it would be more accurate to use the phrase early European settlers.

— Submitted January 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 22, 2022

2. Sweetbay Magnolia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.