Common Name:

pigmy fringe tree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chionanthus pygmaeus

Family:

Oleaceae

Form:

tree

Size:

10-12 ft tall by 10 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous; flowers emerge before leaves in spring, and leaves fall early in the fall

Noted For:

Recommended Uses:

specimen plant

Considerations:

This tree is listed as as Endangered by both the State of Florida and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  Make sure you acquire this species from a legitimate native nursery and that all permit requirements are met.

Availability:

Propagation:

Stratified seed. Piygmy fringe tree is dioecious, so both a male and female tree are needed to produce seed.

Light:

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

9A, 9B

Wildlife:

fruit used by birds

probably bee pollinated

Native Habitats:

Scrub and scrubby flatwoods

Natural Range in Florida:

Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Emerald ash borer is a problem in the northeast and if it reaches Florida, it would likely be lethal to this species.