4. Flower, enlarged.
5. Fruit, × 1/2.
OLEACEAE
Blue Ash
Fraxinus quadrangulata Michx.
HABIT.—A large tree 50-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet; small, spreading branches and stout, 4-angled, more or less 4-winged branchlets form a narrow crown.
LEAVES.—Opposite, pinnately compound, 8-12 inches long. Leaflets 5-9, usually 7, 3-5 inches long, 1-2 inches broad; short-stalked; ovate-oblong to lanceolate, long-pointed; coarsely serrate; thick and firm; yellow-green above, paler beneath, glabrous. Petioles slender, glabrous.
FLOWERS.—April, before the leaves; perfect; borne in loose panicles on shoots of the previous season; calyx reduced to a ring; corolla 0; stamens 2; ovary 2-celled.
FRUIT.—September-October, falling soon after; samaras 1-2 inches long, in long, loose, paniculate clusters.