There he described a monotypic genus, with the sole species being "Magnolia virginiana". In warmer areas Magnolia virginiana is valued for its evergreen foliage. Wetland areas are dominated by pond cypress ("Taxodium ascendens") and sweetbay magnolia ("Magnolia virginiana"). "Magnolia virginiana" was one of the many species described by Carl Linnaeus. It was named after the host tree, "Magnolia virginiana" (sweetbay magnolia).