View source for Franklinia alatamaha

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Theaceae
|genus=Franklinia
|species=alatamaha
|common_name=Franklin tree
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|habit=shrub
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|Max ht box=20
|Max ht metric=ft
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|Max wd box=12
|Max wd metric=ft
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|exposure=part-sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|features=flowers
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|flowers=white
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=7
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|max_zone=10
|image=Franklinia alatamaha.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Flower and leaves in the fall
}}
'''''Franklinia''''' is a [[Monotype (biology)|monotypic]] genus in the [[Camellia sinensis|tea plant]] family, [[Theaceae]]. The sole species in this genus is a flowering tree, ''Franklinia alatamaha'',  commonly called the '''Franklin tree''', and native to the [[Altamaha River]] valley in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in the southeastern [[United States]].

''Franklinia alatamaha'' is a [[deciduous]] large [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] growing to {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, but commonly {{convert|4.5|-|7.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is commercially available for garden cultivation. It is prized for its fragrant white flowers, similar to [[camellia]] blossoms. Flowers appear mid-summer to early fall, and may last as the tree's leaves change color.

The tree has a symmetrical, somewhat pyramidal shape, with different individuals of the species forming almost identical crowns. It forms several vertical trunks close to ground level. The bark is gray with vertical white striations and has a ridged texture. The alternate, obovate leaves are up to {{convert|6|in|cm|abbr=on}} in length and turn a bright orange-red in the fall. Although difficult to transplant, once established ''Franklinia'' can live a century or more.

''Franklinia'' [[fruit]] develops slowly. The [[Capsule (fruit)|seed capsules]] require 12–14 months to mature. When ripe the 5-valved spherical capsules [[Dehiscence (botany)|split]] above and below in a unique manner. Anecdotal evidence suggests viable seed production is enhanced where two or more plants are present in close proximity.