Leaf

Leaf hairs

Winter twig

Catkins

Fruits and flowers

The opposite, pinnate leaves have 5-9 oval to elliptical leaflets (including a single one at the end) with slightly wavy margins. Each is 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm broad.

To distinguish from native ash, the underside of the leaflet has brownish hairs along the mid-rib. (see photo) and the buds are grey/purple (not black).

ID check

Medium sized deciduous tree, 15-25 m tall and a trunk up to 1 m diameter.

Insect pollinated flowers (see photo) are produced in late spring, after the new leaves. The bark is smooth and dark grey.

Facts

• It is frequently grown as an ornamental tree.

• Trees are cultivated in Sicily for the production of manna. The older (8-10 years old) trees are scored on the trunk and the sugary incrustations are collected in autumn. This manna is used as a laxative. (This is not the manna mentioned in the Bible.)