How to identify Carolina ash (Fraxinus caroliniana)
Carolina ash is a modest, deciduous tree or shrub that typically reaches heights of up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) and exhibits a trunk diameter spanning 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters). Its habit includes an enlarged base and a tendency to lean, complementing a rounded to narrowly shaped crown. Leaves of carolina ash are pallid beneath and possess a green upper surface. The species thrives in moist to wet, acidic soils and prefers the shady understory of its habitat. While adaptable to waterlogged conditions, carolina ash cannot withstand salted environments.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Distinctive flattened broad-wing samaras, 1 1/2 to 2 inches long (3.8 to 5 cm).
Pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 serrated leaflets, 7-12 inches long (18-30 cm).
Smooth to occasionally fuzzy stems, 0.25-0.5 inches in diameter (0.6-1.3 cm), with oval leaf scars.
Steel gray to orange-brown bark with irregular, scaly ridges and coarse, flaky texture.
Green to purplish dioecious flowers in dense male clusters & airy female panicles.
The leaves of carolina ash are pinnately compound, featuring 5 to 9 leaflets and stretching 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30 cm) in length. Each leaflet measures 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long and approximately 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The margins are typically serrated, though sometimes they can be entire. The upper surface is dark green, while the underside is paler and smooth. The overall texture is thick and smooth, aiding in easy identification.
The flowers of carolina ash are green to purplish and dioecious, appearing in dense clusters or panicles in spring before leaf emergence. Male flowers form dense masses, while female flowers are arranged in more open clusters. They bloom in May. Known for their distinctive arrangement, the flowers have no notable scent and typically lack showy petals, resembling those of other ash species. The compact male clusters and airy female panicles make them identifiable.
The stems of carolina ash are smooth to occasionally fuzzy, with a gray-brown coloration. They feature distinct oval leaf scars. Stems are typically slender, about 0.25-0.5 inches (0.6-1.3 cm) in diameter, and display a refined branching pattern. These stems are an essential identification feature due to their unique texture and coloring, combined with the characteristic leaf scars.
The fruit of carolina ash presents as distinctive flattened broad-wing samaras, each measuring about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long (3.8 to 5 cm) and 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide (1.3 to 1.9 cm). Noteworthy are the violet-hued wings that gracefully hang below the seed body, a characteristic feature that may display two to three wings per fruit. This fruit typically reaches maturity between July and October, offering a unique visual appeal with its winged silhouette.
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Scientific Classification of Carolina ash
