Fraxinus

Fraxinus is a genus of flowering plants in the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It contains 45-65 species of usually medium to large trees, mostly deciduous though a few subtropical species are evergreen. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name originated in Latin. Both words also meant "spear" in their respective languages. The leaves are opposite (rarely in whorls of three), and mostly pinnately compound, simple in a few species. The seeds, popularly known as keys or helicopter seeds, are a type of fruit known as a samara.

Description

Most Fraxinus species are trees. The species are native throughout the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, with a few species extending into tropical montane forests in Mexico. The largest species of Fraxinus trees can reach heights of 60–65 m (197–213 ft), with a trunk diameter of 2–3.5 m (6.6–11.5 ft).

Uses

Fraxinus trees are used for timber and wood production, for their aesthetic appeal, and for shade. Some species are used in landscaping and are prized for their fall foliage.

Species

There are about 65 species of Fraxinus worldwide, with about 22 in North America, 6 in Central America, and the rest in Asia and Europe.

See also

• Oleaceae
• Deciduous
• Samara (fruit)

References

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External links

• Fraxinus at WikiMD

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