Ash

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European ash
• Ash
• Common Ash
• black ash
• Golden Ash

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it resides in the family Oleaceae under the genus Fraxinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Fraxinus excelsior, maintains a significant presence throughout various regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing across the landscape of Denmark, where it is a common sight in many habitats. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species is well-established within the territories of both Norway and Sweden. Consequently, these five nations represent key areas within its primary geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fraxinus excelsior is characterized by its preference for forest environments, where it typically functions as a significant component of the woodland canopy. It occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, thriving in various terrestrial landscapes ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 500 m AMSL. Within these forested habitats, the species adapts to diverse soil conditions and light availability, playing a crucial role in the structural complexity and nutrient cycling of its native ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Fraxinus excelsior is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation that supports its development into a large tree. This species follows a deciduous growth pattern, meaning it sheds its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, typically entering a period of dormancy during the colder months. Throughout its biological cycle, the plant maintains its status as a phanerophyte, utilizing its elevated bud positioning to survive various environmental stressors and ensure continued growth and reproduction over its long lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fraxinus excelsior is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. It is a self-supporting, non-climbing species that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 40 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 28.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

28.6 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Fraxinus excelsior is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its adaptation to temperate environments where efficient carbon fixation occurs under moderate light and temperature conditions. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through its root system and soil interface. The leaf morphology exhibits specific dimensions, with a mean leaf width of 2 cm (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 2 cm) and a maximum leaf length of 15 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 14.2654 cm². These leaf traits are further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 136.51 cm²/g, which indicates the resource investment strategy per unit of leaf mass. Structural integrity and wood properties are reflected in the stem, which maintains a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 665 mg/cm³.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf size mean:

14.2654 cm²

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

136.51 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

665 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fraxinus excelsior is characterized by a specialized sexual process that relies on abiotic mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in May. During this stage, the plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically being anemophilous (wind-pollinated), which facilitates the movement of pollen. Self-fertilization is noted as absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.064259159 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.03325 g to a maximum of 0.1025 g) and a consistent mean length of 13 mm. The seed volume is recorded at a steady 69 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction via wind-driven pollination and seed dispersal the primary method for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

13 mm

Seed mass max:

0.1025 g

Seed mass mean:

0.064259159 g

Seed mass min:

0.03325 g

Seed volume max:

69 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Fraxinus excelsior has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Fraxinus excelsior has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1'''-O-beta-D-glucosylformoside, Aesculetin, GI3, GI5, Nuzhenide.

1'''-O-beta-D-glucosylformoside

1. Journal of natural products

Aesculetin

1. Journal of chromatography. A

GI3

1. Journal of natural products

GI5

1. Journal of natural products

Nuzhenide

1. Journal of natural products

Salidroside

1. Journal of natural products

aesculin

1. Journal of chromatography. A

coumarin

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

oleoside 11-methyl ester

1. Journal of natural products

oleoside dimethyl ester

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Fraxinus excelsior has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic.

Analgesic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antipyretic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antirheumatic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Conditions

Fraxinus excelsior has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, pain, analgesic, antidiabetic, antipyretic.

Inflammation

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Pain

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Analgesic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of natural products

Antipyretic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Edema

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Fever

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Osteoarthritis

1. Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)

Oxidative damage

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Preparations

Fraxinus excelsior has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous-ethanolic extracts, Aqueous/alcoholic extracts, alcoholic extracts, extracts, seeds of Fraxinus excelsior.

Aqueous-ethanolic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Aqueous/alcoholic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Alcoholic extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Seeds of fraxinus excelsior

1. Journal of natural products