Scientific Family
Oleaceae
Synonyms
Fraxinus pennsylvanica ssp. velutina, Fraxinus velutina var. coriacea, Fraxinus velutina var. glabra, Fraxinus velutina Torr. var. toumeyi
Other common names
Arizona ash
Fresno
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Large deciduous tree with rounded crown. Moderate to rapid growth rate. Composed of many thin, spreading branches; bark gray to grayish-red, furrowed and zig-zagged.
Tree with rounded branches, smooth to velvety-hairy. Leaves pinnately compound, 3 or 9 rounded finely-toothed leaflets per leaf. Flowers small without petals, male and female flowers on separate trees. Fruit paddle-shaped, winged halfway down the body.
Height
35 feet
Width
20 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found in moist soils in canyons, along streams and riparian areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7000
Leaves
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Pinnately compound with 3 to 9 elliptical to lance-shaped leaflets each to 1-1/2 inches long. Entire leaf is 6 inches long. Leaflet margins vary from smooth to minutely toothed. Young leaves are velvety. Yellow fall color.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellowish-white or green
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Small, inconspicuous and in elongated clusters that appear before the leaves. Male and female flowers on different trees. Male flower is yellowish-white while female flower is green and without petals.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Creamy-white
Fruit type
Winged
Elliptical, winged, flat, paddle-shaped, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, often notched at the tip. Seed is plump. Large hanging clusters mature in late summer.