Fraxinus dipetala
A native southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico deciduous tree or large shrub in the olive family, growing up to about 7 m tall, with pinnately compound leaves of 3–7 leaflets, fragrant white two-petaled flowers in clusters, and long flat, winged samaras, thriving in temperate habitats and drought-tolerant once established.
Common Names
California Ash, Two-Petal Ash, Flowering Ash, Foothill Ash, Chaparral Flowering Ash
Summary
California ash is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to California and the southwestern United States. It forms a multi-branching plant up to about 5–7 m tall (roughly 16–23 ft) with gray bark and a vase-like habit. Leaves are opposite and pinnately compound with 3–7 leaflets; flowers are small, fragrant white with two petals, in fluffy pendulous clusters, and the fruits are long, flat samaras.
Grow in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soils; drought-tolerant once established, with occasional summer water recommended. Propagation by seed with warm then cold stratification (60–90 days) or by softwood cuttings; maintenance is low. Used in landscaping and native plantings as an ornamental, including as a butterfly garden host plant; hardy to about 35°F.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
20-23 ft
Spread
10-13 ft
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7-10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil; tolerant of heavy clay soils; pH 5.9–8.2; moisture range from moist to dry with occasional flooding
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil.
Soil pH
6.0-8.0
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Spring (April–June)
Foliage Color
Light to dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Green, Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate growth, reaching about 7–25 ft tall in 10–20 years.
Seasons of Interest
Spring
Propagation Methods
Seeds and Softwood cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Hook. & Arn.
- Publication
- Bot. Beechey Voy. : 362 (1839)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Genus
- Fraxinus
Synonyms
Ornus dipetala Fraxinus ciliata Fraxinus dipetala var. brachyptera Fraxinus dipetala var. trifoliolata Fraxinus dipetala subsp. trifoliolata Fraxinus jonesii Fraxinus parryi Fraxinus schiedei Fraxinus trifoliolata Ornus quadrialata Petlomelia dipetala Chionanthus fraxinifolius