The blossom of the Handkerchief Tree.

We are fortunate in Keighley to have a Handkerchief Tree, Davidia involucrata, in our local park.
The flowers of this unusual tree are at their best at the moment, when the cluster of tiny reddish flower heads are surrounded by two large pure white bracts at the base, almost like large petals. These hang in long rows on the underside of the level branches, and when the bracts flutter in the breeze they resemble handkerchiefs, or even white doves, hence the name. These trees were originally from China and were introduced at the start of the 20th Century. They are, however, not very common throughout the country , although they can be found in some specialist parks and gardens.