Fringetree

Chionanthus virginica L.

Figure 53.—Fringetree (Chionanthus virginica)

Other common names.—American fringetree, white fringe, flowering ash, poison ash, graybeard tree, old-man's-beard, shavings, snowdrop tree, snowflower.

Habitat and range.—The fringetree is found in moist thickets and along streams from Delaware to Florida and Texas.

Description.—The fringetree is from 6 to 20 feet in height, with the trunk covered with a light-colored bark. It has smooth entire leaves. The white flowers, which from their drooping character give a fringelike appearance, are produced in May and June, are borne in dense clusters, and are followed by fleshy, bluish-black fruits containing a 1-seeded nut.

Part used.—The bark of the root.

Sievers, A.F. 1930. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA, Washington DC.

Last update March 19, 1998 by aw