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Native Plant Database

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Fraxinus cuspidata (Fragrant ash)
Cliffe, Harry

Fraxinus cuspidata Torr.

Fragrant ash, Flowering ash

Oleaceae (Olive Family)

USDA Symbol: FRCU

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Fragrant ash or flowering ash is a small tree or large shrub growing to a maximum height of 20 ft. Branches are slender and the bark is smooth gray, becoming scaly with age. Pinnate leaves, which become shiny dark-green, appear at the same time as the fragrant flowers. These unfurl in clusters 3-4 in. long. Each of the four, white petals is divided into long narrow lobes.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Flower: Flowers in 3 inch panicles
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , NV , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to AZ & adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Hillsides, Slopes, Canyons
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Limestone or black clay soils. Limestone-based, Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Aromatic, Understory tree, Attractive, Blooms ornamental
Use Wildlife: Cover, Nesting site, Browse, Seeds-granivorous birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Swallowtail butterflies.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Seeds may be sown outdoors after collection or stored and stratified then sown in spring.
Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist sand or perlite for 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Fraxinus cuspidata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Fraxinus cuspidata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fraxinus cuspidata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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