A dove tree in Shangri-la
Davidia involucrata
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Updated: May 29, 2009 3:51 PM
The Davidia involucrata is an unusual tree to see. When in bloom, it looks just like someone carefully hung clean white handkerchiefs all over this tree. To others, it could be white doves in the tree fluttering their wings, especially when the wind is blowing. At the end of a long flower stem the handkerchief is actually two white bracts one at least double the size of the other and positioned opposite each other. In the center is a ball of numerous stamens each consisting of a cream coloured filament topped by a reddish brown anther. Hidden amongst these is a pistil made up of a green ovary affixed with a six fingered style. According to the Oregon State University website, this tree is named after the French missionary Father Armand David who discovered it in 1896 in China. Fortunately for Bowen islanders, there is a spectacular mature specimen in bloom on 1132 Senator Road. There is a bench at the lagoon with a plaque inscribed “Deed and Kay Saunders’ “Shangri-la””. According to Diane, it was forty years ago that her mother Kay Saunders obtained a chance seedling from a Davidia tree at 47th and Carnarvon which she then planted at their home on Bowen. Louise McIntosh has fond memories of her neighbour who grew plenty of snap peas and would pass them individually through the fence to Louise’s children. Diane recalls another example of her mother’s generosity when she always made a second dinner which she delivered anonymously to someone in the neighbourhood. Ms. Saunders passed away four years ago. Last year, Diane also lost her father. At 95, Mr. Saunders would still take the bus to Horseshoe Bay and catch the ferry to Bowen so he could walk around Killarney Lake. Although Bowen Island has lost two highly respected residents, in memoriam there is not only the bench at the lagoon but a handsome tree as a tribute to their love of Bowen, their Shangri-la.
If there is a tree of note you wish to share with your fellow islanders, please contact bowentrees@telus.net or twitter @bowentrees.
Angelina Seah
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