Practical
Plants

Fraxinus floribunda

Himalayan Ash

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Fraxinus genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
40 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A manna is obtained by incision of the trunk[12][4]. It is used as a sweetener but is laxative if used in quantity[12][6].

Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The manna obtained from incisions in the stem is a safe and gentle laxative[12][7][8]. The young shoots are abortifacient[10].

Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Abortifacient

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood. Used for oars, ploughs and poles[11][10].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Himachel Pradesh to S.W. China.
Habitat
Rich moist soils in forests, 1200 - 2700 metres in the Himalayas[11][3]. Dense forests, mixed woods of valleys, roadsides; sea level to 2600 metres in western China[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed is best harvested green - as soon as it is fully developed but before it has fully dried on the tree - and can then be sown immediately in a cold frame[13]. It usually germinates in the spring[13]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions or a nursery bed in late spring or early summer of the following year. If you have sufficient seed then it is possible to sow it directly into an outdoor seedbed, preferably in the autumn. Grow the seedlings on in the seedbed for 2 years before transplanting either to their permanent positions or to nursery beds.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[1][5]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[2][5]. Plants succeed when growing in exposed positions[5] and also in alkaline soils[2]. Plants tolerate atmospheric pollution[5]. Closely related to F. ornus[5]. This species is not very hardy in Britain but can succeed outdoors in the milder areas[1]. It has a very wide range in the wild and there are probably provenances that will do much better in Britain[2]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Wright. D. Complete Book of Baskets and Basketry. David and Charles 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-7449-4

    ↩

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  8. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩

  9. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

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