Handkerchief Tree

Handkerchief Tree Overview

Davidia involucrata is a spreading, medium-sized, deciduous tree species from the Nyssaceae family, that produces bright green leaves up to 15cm long and showy flowers. Commonly known by the names Handkerchief Tree, Dove Tree and Ghost Tree. In spring it produces very small red-purple flowers measuring around 2cm across, these are surrounded by 2 creamy white bracts that can be 20cm long. Flowers lead onto green-brown to purplish, ridged fruits measuring up to 5cm in diamete. The more commonly cultivated form is Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, which has paler and less downy leaf undersides.