The following was received via email: I'm trying to identify a tree (it's on private property on Marine Drive just west of 49th Ave in Vancouver.); I picked up a dropped flower from it today which I am inserting here. Do you have any idea what it might be? The tree is the size of a large chestnut or dogwood. I've been puzzling over this tree for years and finally got around to getting a blossom yesterday (or possibly it is just leaves that have turned white and the real flower is in the centre). There are only two petals (or leaves), and the larger one hangs down toward the ground, and the centre appears to be somewhat like the centre of a dogwood when it is "ripe". However, the centres I only viewed from the ground looking up, so I don't have a good idea of what they are really like. The image I include is approx. 4 inches long, and on the tree hangs long point down, so the view is almost upside down in the image. Any information you might have would be very welcome. I know a lot of the trees along Marine Drive were imported when the first estates were built along the route, so it probably is not native to the area. I was unable to obtain a leaf. Thanks.
Hello, That is a magnificent tree, isn't it? Its name is Davidia involucrata, commonly known as the handkerchief tree or dove tree. That particular tree on Southwest Marine Drive is one of the largest in western North America. The species is native to China, and was only introduced to North America in 1904. By the way, you are also right in being suspicious of the two white "petals". They are not petals, but bracts (a modified leaf) that subtend the flower. Lastly, a photo of Davidia involucrata in the Asian Garden at UBC
Hello Daniel, I can't believe my luck! I live in Seattle and noticed a tree this morning on my walk with very large white "flowers" hanging from it. I picked one of them and decided to go online to try and ID the tree. None of the tree ID websites were any help at all, and none of my own tree books had anything close. I just so happened to look into your forum and there was a photo of the very flower I had picked this morning! A handkerchief tree! So, we have a very lovely, large specimen growing in Volunteer Park right in the heart of Seattle. I guess it must like the northwest climate. best regards and thanks for the help you provide, Barbara
