It has knotted twigs marked by annual scars, with short internodes covered with pubescence and oval lenticels.

[2][3] It is endemic of Antioquia State, Colombia, distributed along the Central Andes and East Andes, between 1.800 and 2.400 m. It occurs in humid pre-montane forests and humid montane forests in the following towns: Angelópolis, Armenia Mantequilla, Betania, Caldas, Envigado, Jericó and Medellín.

[3] Magnolia espinalii presents good amount of flower buds almost along the whole year, with a slightly decrease during the end of the second rain period and during the beginning of the dry season (November, December and January).

As other magnolias species monitored, presents high percentage of flower bud fall, which are aborted without completing their development.

Once the fruit starts dehiscence, they are collected manually (climbing the tree) or using an extension pruning pole.

When this is not possible, it is recommended to keep them for a short period of time with the red sarcotesta within a wet substrate (sawdust and sand, for example), airtight container and at low temperature (about 4 °C).

[3] The fresh seeds do not need a pre-germination treatment; nevertheless, it is advisable to pay attention to the luminous conditions because this is a factor that affects the final results.

For example, fresh seeds sowed in a substratum of soil and sand (proportion 2:1), under two very different luminous conditions (full sun exposition and darkness) showed a germination capacity of 60% and 80%, respectively.

Two weeks after the germination, seedlings had already unfolded the cotyledon leaves and it showed 3, 5 cm average height.

When seedlings reach 25 to 30 cm of height, they are ready to be planted definitively in the field (with a shade-providing roof in case of sunny stands).