White Fringetree

White Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus L.

Description

White fringetree is a shrub or small tree that is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae).  Its alternative common names include American fringe tree, old man’s beard and sweetheart tree ¹.  Fringetree is frequently a multi-stemmed shrub attaining heights of 20 feet, however in the wild it may be single stemmed and reach 35 feet ².  Its opposite, deciduous leaves are oval with acute tips and may be 3 to 8 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide ¹.    Trees are either male or female (dioecious), but some have both types of flowers ¹.  The fragarant flowers appear in late April or May and  are showy with long, white or cream colored petals ¹.  Fruits are blue-black berries ².

Large cluster of white flowers of white fringetree. Petals are long and narrow and cluster surrounds green leaves.

Flowers of white fringetree. J. Brighton*, Maryland Biodiversity Project ³

Distribution

White fringetree is distributed in the eastern US from New Jersey to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas and Arkansas.  In Maryland it is most common in the eastern parts of the state, although it can be found throughout ³.

Map of North America showing distribution of white fringetree from southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey down the Atlantic coast to central Florida, west to Mississippi. Disjunct populations occur in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

Native range of white fringetree.  Wikimedia commons 4

Wildlife Importance

White fringetree is host to several sphinx moth species including the Giant Ash Sphinx, Laura Sphinx and Rustic Sphinx ³.  Fruits are consumed by birds and small mammals ¹. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drill holes for the sugary sap and to attract insects which they consume.

A tan and dark brown moth with V-shaped wings resting on a log.Laurel Sphinx Moth.  M. Tillet*, Maryland Biodiversity Project 6

The green caterpillar of the Sphinx Moth showing blue and black stripes and a blue and black projection from the abdomen. It is viewed hanging from a leaf in an "S" shape.

Laurel Sphinx Moth caterpillar.  B. Cammarata*, Maryland Biodiversity Project 6

Economic Importance

White fringetree is widely planted for its showy, fragrant flowers ².

Threats

White fringetree is susceptible to borers, and may be attacked by the Emerald Ash Borer ¹.  In some cases die-back occurs due to the use by sapsuckers.

Interesting Facts

  • The genus name comes from the Greek words chin for snow and anthos for flower ².
  • Native Americans used white fringe tree for various maladies including fever, colic, jaundice and malaria 5.

References

  1. North Carolina State Extension:  Chionanthus virginicus
  2. Missouri Botanical Garden:  Chionanthus virginicus
  3. Maryland Biodiversity Project:  White fringetree
  4. Wikimedia Commons: Chionanthus virginicus
  5. HealthBenefits.Com”  Health benefits of white fringetree
  6. Maryland Biodiversity Project: Laurel Sphinx

*  Imaged used with permission of photographer.

Contributed by J. Hull

Towson University Glen Arboretum

Towson University