Fraxinus floribunda
| Fraxinus floribunda | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 131' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Fraxinus floribunda (common name: himalayan ash)
Propagation: 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[1]. It usually germinates in the spring[1]. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as possible in a cold frame[2]. 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: Prefers a deep loamy soil, even if it is on the heavy side[3][2]. Most members of this genus are gross feeders and require a rich soil[4][2]. Plants succeed when growing in exposed positions[2] and also in alkaline soils[4]. Plants tolerate atmospheric pollution[2].
Closely related to F. ornus[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain but can succeed outdoors in the milder areas[3]. It has a very wide range in the wild and there are probably provenances that will do much better in Britain[4].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Himachel Pradesh to S.W. China.
Habitat: Rich moist soils in forests, 1200 - 2700 metres in the Himalayas[5][6]. Dense forests, mixed woods of valleys, roadsides; sea level to 2600 metres in western China[7].
Edibility: A manna is obtained by incision of the trunk[8][9]. It is used as a sweetener but is laxative if used in quantity[8][10].
Medicinal: The manna obtained from incisions in the stem is a safe and gentle laxative[8][11][12].
The young shoots are abortifacient[13].
Usage: Wood. Used for oars, ploughs and poles[5][13].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Wright, Dorothy. Complete Book of Baskets and Basketry. David and Charles, 1977.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Manandhar, N. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Himalaya. Department of Medicinal Plants, 1993.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.