Plant ID

Guernsey Donkey2

Can anyone put a name to this plant seen growing on the West Coast of France recently - thanks.

nutcutlet

I think that's a Magnolia, possibly M. grandiflora

Obelixx

Yes, one of the magnolias.  There's a row of them on the edge of a car park I use regularly and in a while, those huge seed pods will ripen and start falling to the ground when dark brown.

Guernsey Donkey2

Thank you - I would never have guessed a Magnolia, I thought it was something exotic I am assuming they grow in our climate too?  It was my daughter who photographed this plant on a recent trip to La Rochelle   Do they produce these seed pods in the U.K. too?

Guernsey Donkey2

Daughter was pleased to know the name of the plant - we have very large magnolia trees growing here too, but neither of us had ever noticed these impressive seed pods on them.

Borderline

Sounds like you may be growing Magnolia Soulangeana or some type of deciduous tree which is more rare for seed-pods and they are less showy too. The flowers need to be pollinated, so possibly why you hardly see them.

The Grandiflora types often have seedpods from a very hot and sunny summers straight after flowers have finished in the summer time, and they do look exotic.

Silver surfer

Some Magnolia have to be several years old before they start to flower .
Magnolia are one of the ancient form of trees , the flowers are pollinated by insects getting inside the buds before the flowers even open.
The seed pods should not just fall to the ground when they are dark brown...they should split open to reveal the gorgeous red berries contained inside.see image below and link.
Guernsey Donkey2 your pic does appear to show the large leaved evergreen Magnolia grandiflora...see pics below
Image is Magnolia wilsonii.

https://www.google.com/search?q=magnolia+grandiflora+seed+pods&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3nKiA29DdAhUQLewKHRwRBC0Q_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=944#imgrc=-6vb5S3PWJ9UHM:

Below are Magnolia grandiflora tree and flowers

Guernsey Donkey2

Thanks for providing this link Silver surfer, I know so little about the Magnolia so this is providing me with an in depth knowledge.  We have a wispy little thing that we call Magnolia, it is quite pathetic compared with the tree in your picture.  They are beautiful trees with their white flowers and glossy leaves.