Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Fraxinus
Section: Fraxinus sect. Ornus
Species: F. griffithii
Binominal name: Fraxinus griffithii
Common names: Evergreen tropical ash, Himalayan ash, Evergreen ash, Evergreen ash tree, Evergreen flowering ash, Flowering ash, Formosan ash, Griffith's ash, Himalayan ash, Philippine ash.
Fraxinus griffithii is a fast-growing flowering tree in the genus of the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It is native, pioneer species to the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, China, Bangladesh and India.
This tree is commonly grown as an ornamental in Australia, where it has become an invasive species in some areas. In New Zealand, it is sold as an ornamental tree in nurseries and can be seen in parks, gardens. In Australia, it has become popular as a street tree because of its low-growing habit (i.e. it does not interfere with power lines).
In New Zealand, Fraxinus griffithii usually grows up to 4-7 m in height depending on soil conditions. It can be pruned. It has a rounded head. Generally, it is evergreen, but in cooler climates, it will be semi-deciduous.
It has pinnate leaves with 5 to 7 leaflets. The leaves are a glossy green and are oval shaped with pointy tips and have a leathery feel. The leaves underside is a pale green. The leaves margins are complete.
Panicles of small, fragrant, white bisexual flowers with 4 petals, are borne during spring in branched clusters (10-25 mm long) at the tips of the stems. These flowers are borne on stalks 2-4 mm long. They have four tiny sepals (about 1 mm long) and four white petals (about 2 mm long) that are fused together at the base into a very short tube (i.e. corolla tube). They also have two stamens and an ovary topped with a style and stigma.
The flowers are followed by hanging bunches of 4 cm long, 4-5 mm wide, papery, winged seeds, known as ash keys. They are initially pale creamy, green but turn pinkish and then brown in colour as they mature. They contain a single seed and are present. from January to May. The trunk has mottled green and cream coloured bark.
The papery, winged seeds, known as ash keys.(present early May, New Plymouth)
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