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Davidia involucrata
Also called Ghost Tree, Handkerchief Tree, Dovetree
Dove tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree grown for its striking pair of large white bracts that hang like handkerchiefs in late spring. It needs a sheltered spot in cool, moist, well-drained soil to thrive.
Davidia involucrata, dove tree, ghost tree, handkerchief tree, or pocket handkerchief tree is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the family Nyssaceae. It is the only living species in the genus Davidia. It was previously included with tupelos in the dogwood family, Cornaceae. Fossils of the species have been found in the Upper Cretaceous.
The species was introduced from China to Europe and North America in 1904, and is a popular ornamental tree in parks and larger gardens. Most trees in cultivation are of the glabrous form, which has proved much better able to adapt to the climatic conditions in Europe and North America.
This tree and the cultivated variety D. involucrata var. vilmoriniana have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Davidia involucrata is native to South Central and Southeast China. It grows in montane mixed forests.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Davidia involucrata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
