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Fringe-tree, White Fringetree, Old Man's Beard, Grancy graybeard - Chionanthus virginicus


Family: Oleaceae - Olive family Genus Common Name: Fringetree Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Shrub Tree
Chionanthus virginicus - Fringe-tree, White Fringetree, Old Man's Beard, Grancy graybeard.
There is significant disagreement about the circumscription of the Chionanthus genus, with some authorities including only 2 or 3 species, ITIS.gov listing 7 accepted species, and some authorities including the plants of the Linociera genus within Chionanthus, giving it about 60 species, and Wikipedia claims the genus has about 150 species. The genus name comes from the Greek words for snow flower - chion means snow, and anthos means flower.

With a narrower circumscription, Chionanthus virginicus is one of two species found in the United States, with a fairly wide distribution from Texas through the southeastern states and ranging as far north as New York and Massachusetts. The other species is Chionanthus pygmaeus, Pygmy Fringetree, which is found only in the Florida peninsula. Chionanthus virginicus is frequently planted in yards in the South because its showy white flowers show up just as the Dogwood bloom is waning.

Found in:
AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, GS
Chionanthus virginicus

Distribution of Chionanthus virginicus in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Lula Lake, Walker County, Ga Date: 2018-April-28Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescences of Chionanthus virginicus are drooping clusters of long-petaled flowers giving a fringe-like (or perhaps beard-like) appearance. The small tree can be covered with these blossoms, making a beautiful ornamental, and a striking appearance in the wild.
Chionanthus virginicus
Site: Lula Lake, Walker County, Ga Date: 2018-April-28Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The individual flowers have 4 to 6 long, strap-like, white petals. The plants are dioecious - the male and female flowers are on different plants, with the male plants being somewhat showier because they have longer petals.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Chionanthus virginicus
Site: Lula Lake, Walker County, Ga Date: 2018-April-28Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
Chionanthus virginicus may grow up to 35 feet tall, although it may occur as a shrub in some environments.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Chionanthus virginicus
References used for identification and information:
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Chionanthus virginicus initially published on USWildflowers.com 2018-05-03; Updated 2018-05-03

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302