The dove tree has a native distribution in the West Szechuan and West Hupeh regions of China (Dirr 1998)

Coons, Janice

Coutant, Nancy

Whiteside, Wesley

English

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Eastern Illinois University
The Keep
Plants by Genus Species Wesley Whiteside Botanical Garden
2011
Davidia involucrata
Janice Coons
Eastern Illinois University
Nancy Coutant
Eastern Illinois University
Wesley Whiteside
Eastern Illinois University
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Recommended Citation
Coons, Janice; Coutant, Nancy; and Whiteside, Wesley, "Davidia involucrata" (2011). Plants by Genus Species. 5.
http://thekeep.eiu.edu/whiteside_species/5
Wes Whiteside—Species Information Sheet 
I. Nomenclature 
 
Family: Nyssaceae 
 
Genus Species(Authority): Davidia involucrata Baill. 
 
Subspecies/Variety(Authority):  
 
Cultivar: Sonoma 
 
Common Name: Dove tree 
 
II. Origin (country and/or habitat) 
 
Native/Rare     Native/Uncommon     Old World/Rare      Old 
World/Uncommon 
 
The dove tree has a native distribution in the West Szechuan and West Hupeh 
regions of China (Dirr 1998).  
 
 
 
 
 
III. Habit 
 
Tree   Shrub    Vine   
 
Herbaceous Annual Herbaceous Biennial  Herbaceous 
Perennial 
 
Flowering Season: Dr. Whiteside’s tree has yet to flower  
 
Flower Color: Two large white bracts subtending an andromonoecious head 
 
Fruit Type: Drupe 
 
 
IV. Source of Plant Material 
 From where or whom obtained and when: Davidia involucrata “Sonoma” 
was obtained from Wayside Gardens in South Carolina around 2007. 
 
Propagule Material: 
 
Seed   Vegetative  Whole Plant 
 
Details:  
 
Availability: The cultivar “Sonoma” is available from some west coast 
nurseries, and occasionally from high end nurseries in the eastern United 
States. 
 
 
V. Cultural 
 
Special Soil Type: Average soil 
 
Soil Moisture: Wet  Mesic  Dry  Other  
 
  
VI. Additional Comments 
Dr. Whiteside has planted over a half a dozen of Dove trees from a variety of 
sources. The consistent case of their decline is probably due to a lack of winter 
hardiness. To bring up the sapling, he wrapped chicken wire filled with pine needles 
around the above ground stem. The first two years it had lasted. After last year the 
“Sonoma” cultivar died back to the ground but is now again shoulder high. Dr. 
Whiteside plans on insulating it more extensively using some extra dirt and straw 
over the winter. The plant now is Dr. Whiteside’s second try with the “Sonoma” 
variety. The original one had died off due to a late spring frost and the remaining 
shoot that sprouted later in the season was blown off in a wind storm. 
  
 
VII. Literature Cited 
Dirr, M. A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants :Their Identification, Ornamental 
Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Champaign, IL: Stipes 
Publishing L. L. C.. 


Davidia involucrata

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&amp;context=whiteside_species

Davidia involucrata

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