Davidia involucrata

The dove-tree, handkerchief tree or ghost tree is in the Nyssaceae family (although many databases still place it in Cornaceae family) and originates in China. It is fast-growing and broadly conical.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, heart-shaped up to 15 cm long and 12 cm across, sharp-toothed, white fuzz on the underside, and a slender point at the tip. Veins are embedded, giving a corrugated look to the leaves.
• Flowers are reddish in colour and form a tight cluster about 1–2 cm across in the center. Most distinctly, each flower head has a pair of large (12–25 cm), pure white petals (actually bracts) that appear as a folded handkerchief around the flower heads; flowers hang in long rows beneath the level branches.
• Fruit is a very hard 'nut' (drupe) about 3 cm long surrounded by a green husk about 4 cm long by 3 cm wide, hanging on a 10 cm stalk and remaining on the tree through the winter and often well into spring. The nut contains 3-6 seeds.