Emmenopterys henryi

Rare in cultivation, this Chinese tree related to Pinckneya was first offered in the U.S. by Woodlanders. One of ours was the first to display its showy, pink-bracted flowers in the Western Hemisphere. 

Emmenopterys henryi, commonly known as Henry’s Tree, is one of the most remarkable and rare flowering trees in the world. Native to the temperate forests of central and southern China, this tree is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is highly prized for its stunning floral displays.

Origins and History

Emmenopterys henryi was first discovered by the Irish botanist Augustine Henry in 1887, while he was working as a medical officer in China. He found the tree growing in the remote forests of Hubei Province. However, it wasn't until 1907 that the species was formally described by the famous British botanist Ernest Henry Wilson, who also collected seeds during one of his expeditions to China for the Veitch Nurseries. The tree was later introduced to Europe and North America, where it became a coveted specimen for arboretums and botanical gardens.

Significance in Horticulture

Emmenopterys henryi is renowned in the horticultural world for its rarity and the breathtaking beauty of its blooms. The tree is notoriously reluctant to flower, sometimes taking several decades before it produces its first blooms. When it does flower, usually in late summer, it offers a spectacular display of large, creamy-white bracts surrounding small, fragrant flowers, resembling a giant snowflake. This infrequent flowering has added to its mystique and desirability among plant collectors and botanical institutions.

Photos courtesy of Julian Sutton and Abraham Rammeloo.