Dove Tree
Davidia involucrata Baill.
Davidia involucrata, commonly known as the Dove Tree, is a deciduous tree in the Nyssaceae family. It is the sole living species in the genus Davidia. Once classified within the dogwood family, Cornaceae, alongside tupelos, it is now recognized in its own family. Fossil records of the species date back to the Upper Cretaceous. Native to regions in China, it has also been documented in Belgium, including the Flemish and Walloon Regions. The species was first described in 1871 by Baill.
Description
Davidia involucrata is a medium-sized tree known for its distinctive white bracts that resemble handkerchiefs or doves in flight, giving rise to its common names such as Dove Tree and Handkerchief Tree. It is native to South-Central and Southeast China and has been introduced to parts of Europe, including Belgium. The species is notable for its historical classification, having previously been grouped with tupelos in the Cornaceae family before being placed in its own family, Nyssaceae. Fossil evidence of related species extends to the Upper Cretaceous period, indicating a long evolutionary history.
Other common names
handkerchief-treedovetreeghost-treeDove-treeDove Tree
Distribution
NO · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region · China South-Central · China Southeast
Synonyms
Davidia involucrata var. vilmorinianaDavidia involucrata subsp. vilmorinianaDavidia laetaDavidia tibetanaDavidia vilmorinianaDavidia involucrata var. vilmorinianaDavidia involucrata var. involucrata