FNPS Plant Database

Chionanthus pygmaeus

pigmy fringe tree

Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

pigmy fringe tree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Chionanthus pygmaeus

Family:

Oleaceae

Plant Specifics

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 and leaves emerge late in the spring and leaves fall early in the fall

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Not wet but not extremely dry -to- Very long 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

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution

Vouchered

Not vouchered

Selected

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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.

Starting…

Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Probably bee pollinated.

Fruits used by birds.

Native Habitats:

Scrub and scrubby flatwoods

Natural Range in Florida:

View in USF Plant Atlas

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