Magnolia guatemalensis is a tree found in the highlands and mountains of Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. It is considered an indicator species of the cloud forest. There are two subspecies: , endemic to Guatemala; and , commonly known as the Honduran magnolia, native to El Salvador and Honduras. Both subspecies have been assessed as endangered by the IUCN. It is known locally as mamey, a common name that is also used for the unrelated species Pouteria sapota from Cuba and the fruit tree Mammea americana from Central and South America.