As soon as this tree flowers, its common name is obvious: showy white papery bracts flutter in the gentlest breeze like rising doves, also earning it the names Handkerchief Tree and Ghost Tree. Introduced by plant-hunter Ernest H. Wilson (1876-1930) in 1904.

Native to southern-central and south-east China.

Polygamodioecious (mostly dioecious but occasionally tree can bear flowers of the opposite sex). Insect-pollinated, mostly by bees attracted by UV properties of the mature bracts, which also act as rain canopies protecting pollen. Seeds dispersed by birds and mammals.

Medium (24m), broad, often multi-stemmed. Bark grey-brown, sometimes orange-tinted, maturing flaky. Twigs glabrous, initially glaucous then dark brown; buds alternate, red-green, glossy. Young foliage has a spicy-incense scent; mature leaves can hang brown-black after frost or wilt under drought. Leaves ovate with a cordate base, silky-haired and sunken-veined above, sometimes downy below, coarsely toothed, on a 4-7cm red petiole. The inflorescence has many small flowers with prominent crimson anthers, framed by a pair of overhanging bracts that unfold yellow-green then brilliant white and paper-thin (lower bract 20-30cm, upper half that size), April-May. Fruit an ovoid drupe (3-4cm), purple-green ripening brown. Lime (Tilia) species are similar in crown shape but grow larger, with smaller bracts.

Hardy to -15°C. Thrives in moist but well-drained soils, including chalk, in partial or full sun. Can be pruned quite hard, even coppiced, regenerating vigorously.

Attracts pollinating insects, especially bees.

Generally healthy.

Ornamental.