Var. monophýlla.
7. Fràxinus excélsior, L. (European Ash.) Leaflets 11 to 13 (in some cultivated varieties reduced to 1 to 5), almost sessile, lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, serrate, wedge-shaped at base. Flowers naked, somewhat diœcious, and so the fruit does not form on all the trees. Keys linear-oblong, obtuse, obliquely notched at apex. This species in its very numerous varieties is common in cultivation. One of the most interesting is the Weeping Ash (var. pendula). The most remarkable is the one with simple, from pinnatifid to entire leaves (var. monophylla).
F. òrnus.
8. Fráxinus òrnus. (Flowering Ash.) Leaflets 7 to 9, lanceolate or elliptical, attenuated, serrated, entire at the stalked bases, villous or downy beneath. Flowers fringe-like, white, in large terminal drooping clusters, of 4 or 2 petals. May to June. Fruit small, lance-linear, obtuse, attenuate at each end. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, planted in parks. Not hardy north of New York City without some protection.
Genus 61. OSMÁNTHUS.
Shrub or small tree with opposite, thick, evergreen, nearly entire leaves. Flowers small, white, in panicles or corymbs in late spring. Fruit a spherical drupe, ½ in. long, with a 2-seeded stone; hanging on during the winter.
O. Americàna.
Osmánthus Americàna, L. (Devil-wood.) Leaves thick, evergreen, oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, narrowed to a petiole, 4 to 5 in. long. Flowers diœcious, very small. May. Fruit globular, about ½ in. in diameter, violet-purplish; ripe in autumn, and remaining on the tree through the winter. A small tree, 15 to 20 ft. high, from southern Virginia southward, in moist woods.