Fringetrees are small, deciduous trees or large shrubs with scaly winter buds. Leaves are opposite and large with entire leaf margins. Flowers are dioecious and showy. Fruit is a blue-black, single-seeded drupe.
| I. | Bundle scars are in a circular pattern. Side buds are globular with four to five pairs of bud scales. Leaves are borne mostly near the upper ends of the twigs. Leaves are generally oblong in shape and 31/4—8 inches (81/2—20 cm) long. Foliage is dark green and shiny above and paler beneath. Flowers are dioecious, white, feathery, and borne in terminal panicles. The 4—8 inch (10—20 cm) long panicles open in May or June as the foliage begins to emerge. Fruit is dark blue and ripens in September on the female plants. |
| Chionanthus virginica–White Fringetree |
White Fringetree–Chionanthus virginica
A beautiful, large shrub or small tree, the white fringetree usually attains heights of 25—30 feet. Multiple stems are the rule. Fringetrees are planted for ornamental purposes. This small tree is native to southeastern Ohio in restricted areas. Fringetrees are most common in Scioto County, along rugged ravines and the lower slopes of larger streams.
Fringetrees are small, deciduous trees or large shrubs with scaly winter buds. Bundle scars are in a circular pattern. Side buds are globular with four to five pairs of bud scales. Branches are spreading, stout, and somewhat smooth with gray to greenish brown bark.
Leaves are opposite and large with entire leaf margins. Leaves are borne mostly near the upper ends of the twigs. Leaves are generally oblong in shape and 31/4—8 inches (81/2—20 cm) long. Foliage is dark green and shiny above and paler beneath. The leaves are leathery to the touch. Fringetrees are likely to be the last plant to leaf out in the spring and are long-lived trees.
Flowers are white and, when in full bloom, are strikingly attractive with drooping, fringed, or feathery blossoms. Flowers are dioecious and fragrant. Male flowers are said to be more attractive. The 4—8 inch (10—20 cm) long terminal panicles open in May or June as the foliage begins to emerge. Fruits are blue-black, single-seeded drupes and ripen in September on the female plants.
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| White Fringetree | |