Dove Tree Pictures, Detailed Information on the Dove Tree Species
Welcome to our dove tree pictures page. On this page you will find lots of nice pictures of dove trees. You will also find a lot of wonderful information on dove trees, including information about the dove tree species, planting information, and much more. This is valuable and useful information that can help you to learn more about the dove tree.
To view each dove tree picture in full size just click on the pictures. Enjoy the pictures.
Here is some detailed information on the dove tree.
The Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata) is a medium-sized deciduous tree, usually placed in the tupelo family (Nyssaceae), but is sometimes included (with the tupelos) in the dogwood family (Cornaceae), and by yet others given family status of its own, as Davidiaceae. It is also known as the Handkerchief tree or Pocket-handkerchief tree. The tree is native to central China, from Hubei to southern Gansu, south to Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan.
The Dove Tree is the only member of its genus, but there are two varieties differing slightly in their leaves, Davidia involucrata var. involucrata, which has the leaves thinly pubescent (short-haired) on the underside, and Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, with glabrous (hairless) leaves. Some botanists treat them as distinct species, with good reason as the two taxa have differing chromosome numbers so are unable to produce fertile hybrid offspring.
It is a moderately fast-growing tree, growing to about 20 to 25 m in height, with alternate cordate leaves resembling those of a linden in appearance, except that they are symmetrical, and lacking the lop-sided base typical of linden leaves; the leaves are mostly 10 to 20 cm long and 7 to15 cm wide and are ovate to heart-shaped.
The Dove Tree is best known for its flowers. These form a tight cluster about 1 to 2 cm across, reddish in colour, each flower head with a pair of large (12 to 25 cm), pure white bracts at the base performing the function of petals. These hang in long rows beneath the level branches. The flowers are at their best in late May. On a breezy day, the bracts flutter in the wind like white doves or pinched handkerchiefs, hence the English names for this tree.
Young Dove Tree in flowerThe fruit is a very hard nut about 3 cm long surrounded by a green husk about 4 cm long by 3 cm wide, pendulous on a 10 cm stalk. The nut contains 3-6 seeds.
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