PARAKMERIA lotungensis. Eastern joy lotus tree. Southeastern China. A strong, erect evergreen tree, growing as much as 100’ high in nature but easily maintained at a more manageable size. It forms a bushy, narrow crown above, with smooth pale grey bark below. The leaves are up to 5" long, dark green and glossy. They often have beautiful grey- or blue-green undersurfaces. The flowers open at the shoot tips in spring. They are strongly cupped, with broad cream-colored petals, and resemble those of the giant lotus (Nelumbo). It thrives in a sunny but wind-protected site (shading from larger trees would be advisable away from the coast). Give it a reasonably well drained, preferably acid soil and constant moisture. Hardy to 20^oF. or less. Introduced on the West Coast by Piroche Plants of British Columbia.