[2] Magnolia pacifica is a medium-sized tree, growing 15 to 25 meters tall, with a trunk up to 40–80 cm in diameter.

In Jalisco it is found in the mountains around San Sebastián del Oeste and in the Sierra el Cuale south and west of Talpa de Allende.

Its population is decreasing, and its conservation status is assessed as Endangered.

Other closely related species live in western Mexico, and constitute the Magnolia pacifica group – Magnolia pugana from the mountains north of Guadalajara, and Magnolia vallartensis from the Pacific lowlands around Puerto Vallarta.

Vázquez-García et al. consider the Sierra el Cuale population of M. pacifica to be separate species, M.