A subtracted cDNA library for Davidia involucrata was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). mRNA isolated from young leaves was used as a “driver,” and mRNAs isolated from young bracts were used as “testers.” The differentially expressed cDNA fragments in bracts were identified by differential screening. Of the 16 clones selected randomly from the screened library, 8 were known genes found in GenBank, and 2 had no similar sequences. Northern blot analysis revealed that the expression level of P1A5 cDNAs selected randomly was dominantly expressed in bracts. This indicates that SSH can be used to clone differentially expressed cDNAs inD. involucrata bracts.