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Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fraxinus ovalifolia
• Fraxinus hondurensis
• Fraxinus uhdei var. pseudoperiptera
• Fraxinus americana var. uhdei
• Fraxinus americana f. ovalifolia
• Fraxinus chiapensis
• Fraxinus cavekiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Oleaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Fraxinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several distinct regions within the North-Central Pacific, specifically found in Hawaii. Its range also extends significantly throughout Mexico, covering a diverse variety of territories. Within the country, it can be located in the central region of Mexico. Additionally, the species is present in the northeast, gulf, and northwest areas of Mexico. These varied locations demonstrate a broad geographical presence across both island and mainland environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fraxinus uhdei is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it thrives across a defined altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found inhabiting mid-to-high altitude zones, maintaining a presence within an elevational range that begins at 1470 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptation to the cooler temperatures, increased moisture availability, and specific soil compositions characteristic of these high-altitude ecosystems. By occupying this particular niche, the plant plays a vital role in the structural complexity of its habitat, interacting with the unique microclimates and biological communities found within these specific elevational belts.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1470 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Fraxinus uhdei are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that serves as a fundamental component of its cellular identity. Specifically, this species possesses a chromosome number of 46, a trait that defines its karyotypic structure and plays a critical role in its reproductive biology and genomic stability. This diploid number is a key genetic parameter used to differentiate it from other members of the Oleaceae family and is essential for understanding its patterns of inheritance and evolutionary lineage.

Chromosome number :

46

Life history

The life history of Fraxinus uhdei is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence and stability within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation that allows it to persist through various seasonal changes and environmental stressors. This phanerophyte life form facilitates its development into a robust woody structure, supporting its continuous growth cycles over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fraxinus uhdei is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean plant height of 20 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 24 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Fraxinus uhdei is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for temperate woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO. The plant's vegetative structure supports this energy production through pinnate leaves that exhibit significant morphological variation in size; individual leaflets typically range in length from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 28 cm, while their width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Furthermore, Fraxinus uhdei does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil.

Leaf length max:

28 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fraxinus uhdei is characterized by specific morphological traits of its fruit and seeds, as well as particular biological mechanisms for fertilization and dispersal. The species does not engage in self-fertilization, as the trait is absent, necessitating cross-pollination for successful reproductive cycles. The resulting fruits exhibit measurable dimensions, with a length ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, and a width varying between 0.5 cm and 0.6 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a relatively light mass, with a mean weight of 0.0232 g, while individual seed masses fluctuate between a minimum of 0.01431 g and a maximum of 0.0278 g. Furthermore, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass max:

0.0278 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0232 g

Seed mass min:

0.01431 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Fraxinus uhdei 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Fraxinus uhdei has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-Hydroxyoleuropein, Ligustroside, Uhdenoside.

10-Hydroxyoleuropein

1. Planta medica

Ligustroside

1. Planta medica

Uhdenoside

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Fraxinus uhdei has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Planta medica