
Michelia doltsopa - San Francisco, California
Posted by:
hotshoe
N 37° 45.985 W 122° 28.123
10S E 546792 N 4180032
Flowering tree from the Himalayas, in Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park
Waymark Code: WM6287
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/20/2009
Views: 11
There are so many exceptional trees in this arboretum that it would take a lifetime to be familiar with them all. This one tree may be the single most beautiful specimen in the whole arboretum.
A member of the Magnolia family, it flowers in spring with tropical-scented blossoms that cover the entire tree, nearly obscuring the foliage. Michelias are usually single trunked trees,; this one has four main trunks about 3ft in circimference. Supposedly, Michelias reach 8 - 12 meters at maturity, but this tree has clearly topped that. Since it is restricted to warm climates, it's safe to say there is no larger one north of San Francisco.
The species name, doltsopa, is its Tibetan name.
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The Arboretum is open to the public daily, with an admission fee required except for San Francisco residents