Fraxinus
Fraxinus
Fraxinus (/ˈfræksɪnəs/), commonly known as ash, 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.
Etymology
The name Fraxinus originates from the Latin word 'fraxinum', meaning 'ash tree'. The name was used by Pliny and other ancient writers to denote several species of European ash.
Description
Fraxinus trees are characterized by opposite, pinnately compound leaves. The seeds, popularly known as ash keys, are a type of fruit known as a samara. Most Fraxinus species are dioecious, having male and female flowers on separate plants but some species have hermaphrodite flowers and are monoecious.
Species
There are numerous species of Fraxinus, but some of the more commonly known ones include:
- Fraxinus excelsior (European ash)
- Fraxinus americana (White ash)
- Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green ash)
- Fraxinus velutina (Velvet ash)
- Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon ash)
Uses
Fraxinus wood is hard, strong, and lightweight. It is often used for making tool handles, such as hammers and axes, as well as for sports equipment like baseball bats and bows. Some species of Fraxinus are also grown as ornamental trees for their attractive foliage and flowers.
Related Terms
- Oleaceae - The olive and lilac family, to which Fraxinus belongs.
- Deciduous - Trees that shed their leaves annually.
- Evergreen - Trees that retain their leaves throughout the year.
- Samara (fruit) - A type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall.
- Dioecious - Having male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.
- Monoecious - Having male and female reproductive structures on the same plant.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fraxinus
- Wikipedia's article - Fraxinus
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