Davidia involucrata (dove tree, "Hankachinoki")

Japanese name: ハンカチノキ
Scientific name: Davidia involucrata

[Overview]
A deciduous tree 15–20 m tall, native to forests at an elevation of 2,000 m in southwestern China.
The leaves are simple and alternate, 9–15 cm long, heart-shaped to broadly ovate.
The upper surface of the leaf has silky hairs, and the underside has short, felt-like hairs.
The leaf margins have coarse teeth.
The petiole is 4–7 cm long.
There are female and male flowers, both without petals; many male flowers and one female flower are borne in a head-like inflorescence about 2 cm across.
At the base of the inflorescence there are 2 large, petal-like bracts, 7–20 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, white to cream in color.
The fruit is a long-ovate drupe 3–4 cm long.

[History]
It was discovered in Sichuan in 1867 by the French Father David.

[Cultivation]
Propagate mainly by cuttings, but the rooting rate is poor.
When grown from seed, it takes more than 10 years to flower, and the germination rate is also low.
It prefers fertile soil that receives sun and retains water well.
It dislikes dryness, dry cold winds and strong afternoon sun.
Since its native habitat is a highland, in warm regions use well-drained soil to prevent stuffiness in summer.
For young seedlings, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For mature trees, rainfall is sufficient, but because they weaken if they dry out, water them during long spells of sunny weather.
Apply organic fertilizer around the base of the plant as fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
Regarding classification, some opinions treat it as a separate family, and others group it with the Nyssaceae.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)