Chionanthus virginicus

Object Details

Description
This native fringetree has beautiful, fluffy white flowers in the spring and deep blue fruit in the summer. It is listed as Threatened in Ohio.
Hardiness
-40 - 30 F
Attracts
Attracts birds with fruit and shelter.
Bloom Time
May to June
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Range
Central to E. US
Habitat
Full sun to part shade, moist, fertile soil.
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
On Display
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Accession Number
2017-0422A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Common Name
Fringetree
Poison ash
Old Man's Beard
Virginian Snow Flower
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Asteranae
Order
Lamiales
Family
Oleaceae
Genus
Chionanthus
Species
virginicus
Life Form
Deciduous tree
Average Height
15-20'
Bark Characteristics
Brown, gray
Bloom Characteristics
Male flowers showier than female flowers. Produces drooping clusters of fringe-like flowers which grow at the ends of branches. Clusters are 4-6" long.
Dioecious
Yes. Some perfect flowers.
Fall Color
Yellow
Foliage Characteristics
Simple, opposite, nearly opposite, or whorled spear-shaped leaves. 8" long. Dark green with entire margins.
Fruit Characteristics
Olive-like, ripen to dark blue-black in late summer.
Structure
Spreading, rounded
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7083cb445-4383-4ab3-9408-c6c1f67a5a6d
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2017-0422A
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
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