Magnolia virginiana, commonly known as the Sweet Bay Magnolia or Swamp Magnolia, is a species native to the Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States, ranging from Florida to Long Island, New York. It’s also found in various other names such as Beaver Tree, Castorwood, Small Laurel Magnolia, and White Laurel, to name a few.

This tree is notable for its versatility as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks and for its adaptability to various environments, including wet, boggy soils​.

It is an evergreen or deciduous tree up to 100 ft tall, native to the lowlands and swamps. The flower appears in late spring or early summer and has creamy white, petal-like tepals. The flowers carry a strong vanilla scent that can sometimes be noticed several hundred yards away.

Source: Wikipedia.