Sign In 
Get Premium Manna Ash
(Fraxinus ornus)
Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus)
/
/
Sergey Cherkasov
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Sergey Cherkasov
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Sergey Cherkasov | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Sergey Cherkasov | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-21T19:45:36-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Fraxinus ornus, commonly known as Manna Ash or Flowering Ash, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia. It thrives in various habitats, including open woodlands and Mediterranean maquis, a type of shrubland found in the Mediterranean region. The tree typically grows to 15–25 meters (49–82 feet) tall with a trunk up to 1 meter in diameter. Its bark is dark grey and remains smooth even on old trees, which is somewhat atypical for ashes. The buds are pale pinkish-brown to grey-brown, covered with a dense layer of short grey hairs. Manna Ash is particularly noted for its dense panicles of fragrant, creamy white flowers, each with four slender petals, which bloom in late spring after the new leaves appear. The flowers are highly ornamental and are pollinated by insects.
The tree is valued for its decorative flowers and is often grown as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens beyond its native range. It is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, preferring full sun and moderate water, with the ability to tolerate slow, medium, or fast drainage. Manna Ash is also known for its ornamental, pinnate leaves that turn yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to ash dieback disease and the emerald ash borer, which are significant threats to ash trees globally. In some regions, Fraxinus ornus is considered potentially invasive, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
The tree is valued for its decorative flowers and is often grown as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens beyond its native range. It is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, preferring full sun and moderate water, with the ability to tolerate slow, medium, or fast drainage. Manna Ash is also known for its ornamental, pinnate leaves that turn yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to ash dieback disease and the emerald ash borer, which are significant threats to ash trees globally. In some regions, Fraxinus ornus is considered potentially invasive, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 40-50 feet
- Width: 40-50 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands and Mediterranean maquis
Other Names
Common Names: South European Flowering Ash, Flowering Ash, Manna-Esche, Blumen-Esche, Fresno De Flor, Maná De Calabria, Frêne À Fleurs, Frêne À Manne, Orne À Manne, Pluim-Es
Scientific Names: , Fraxinus ornus, Ornus europaea, Fraxinus montana, Fraxinus thyrsantha, Ornus ornus, Ornus ornus publ,
GBIF Accepted Name: Fraxinus ornus L.