Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Arizona Ash, Fraxinus velutina

Arizona Ash, Fraxinus velutina

Arizona Ash, Fraxinus velutina	Arizona Ash, Fraxinus velutina

Arizona Ash Fraxinus velutina, Olive Family ( Oleaceae ), Arizona Ash. Also Called: Velvet Ash. Arizona Ash is a landscape shade tree for Arizona. It also grows wild. The male and female flowers are on different trees. The male flowers drop in the spring in large quantities, that can be composted rapidly. The female drops large quantities of one-winged seeds (samara). Height: 30 -5 0 foot with about 2/3 spread to the height with a round crown. Flowers: Axillary clusters of small creamy white flowers; bloom in spring; allergenic. They have four valvate corolla lobes, a short four-toothed calyx, and two stamens that produce pollen copiously and little, if any, nectar. Blooming Time: Southern Arizona, March - April. Phoenix Area, April - May. Fruit & Seeds: Clusters of winged seed on female plants, similar to single maple seeds; 1 -1 1/4 inches long, 1/4 inch wide. Leaves: They are pinnately compound , usually 3 - 5 leaflets per leaf, leaflets 3/4 - 2 1/2 inchs long; upper surface glossy green, lower soft and velvety. Bark: Smooth and gray when young, develops many shallow fissures and scaly ridges into an irregular diamond pattern, gray - brown in color. Found: Found throughout SW USA and Mexico. Elevation: 2,000 - 6,000 Feet. Habitat: Riparian canyons and large washes with perennial source of water. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: High leaf drop. Photos Taken June 06, 2006 Glendale.