Encyclopedia
of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Davidia involucrata. DOVE TREE. China
NYSSACEAE (Tupelo family)
A small deciduous tree of handsome appearance with deep
green toothed leaves to 6 inches, furry and paler underneath, with odor like mint.
The small flowers do not depend on petals to advertise themselves but instead
exhibit two large white drooping bracts in May, giving the appearance of nesting
doves (to some); others, who use the name handkerchief tree, are reminded of laundry
hanging on the line. Visit those at the outside northeast courtyard of the Main
Quad. In 2000 one appeared in the Inner Quad in the mulberry (outer northeast)
island; three are on the east side of the Center for Integrated Systems. One in
the lawn north of Mitchell Earth Sciences has died. For the fascinating tale of
the introduction of the dove tree to Europe see Elizabeth McClintock's Trees
of Golden Gate Park and San Francisco, Heyday Books, Berkeley, 2001.
Illustrations (links open new windows): gallery
Additions/Revisions: 3/26/04:
The tree in the lawn north of Mitchell was removed (and near death!) There are
three nice young but flowering trees on the east side of CIS. The young tree in
the east lawn of Old Union, a bit drought stressed, eventually died. In 2005 one of the CIS specimens died. In Spring
2007, two 8-foot high trees were planted facing one another between Moore and
McCullough, at the west end (both died).
Name derivation, genus | species
Related
material: Flora
of China
Botanical
name index | Common name index | Family
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