Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

white fringe tree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chionanthus virginicus

Family:

Oleaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

10-20 (30) ft tall by 8-15 (20) ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

blue-black

Phenology:

Deciduous. Flowers and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall. Fruits ripe by fall.. Lifespan >50 yrs (Nelson).

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree where a small drought-tolerant tree is desired.

Considerations:

Flowers and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall. When not blooming, it's not outstanding.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Stratified seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic (pH 5.5-6.5)

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

 Larval host for rustic sphinx ( Manduca rustica ), waved sphinx ( Ceratomia undulosa ), and laurel sphinx (S phinx kalmiae ).

Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.  

Native Habitats:

moist hammocks, but adaptable to many situations.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

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.