The Chinese Dove Tree, with flowers resembling white doves spreading their wings, symbolizes peace and is imported from China. Commonly known as the Dove Tree, its scientific name is Davidia involucrata, and it is often planted in estates in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Dove Tree Fruit (Image: rz.uni-karlsruhe) |
The Dove Tree is a deciduous tree, reaching heights of 15-20 meters, with egg-shaped leaves that fall. The inflorescence is a head composed of many male flowers clustered around a single female flower. The flowers are purple-red, resembling the head of a bird. When in full bloom, they appear like a flock of white doves perched on branches. The flowers dance in the wind, enchanting all who behold them.
In 1896, a French monk took notice of the Dove Tree in Sichuan, China. Subsequently, it was imported to England and gradually became a landscape tree in Europe, hence the name Chinese Dove Tree.
The fruit of the Dove Tree is the size of an apricot, a drupe that is oval or egg-shaped, greenish-purple in color, containing 20% oil, making it an excellent material for oil extraction.
The Dove Tree is in the same family as the Happy Tree (Camptotheca acuminata), which can be used to extract anti-cancer compounds.
Additionally, the Dove Tree is valued as a living fossil. One million years ago, it was widespread across the globe. However, during the fourth ice age, floods led to its extinction in many areas, leaving only a few remaining in high altitudes of 1200-2500 meters. Some ancient trees can reach heights of up to 30 meters and have diameters exceeding 1 meter. This species has been included in China’s list of protected plants.
The creamy white bracts grow in pairs at the base of the inflorescence, resembling dove wings
(Image: rz.uni-karlsruhe)
