Ash
Ash (tree/shrub), common name for members of a genus of plants (see Olive), comprising about 65 species of mostly northern temperate trees and shrubs, valued for timber and ornament. Characteristic of the group are the small, inconspicuous greenish flowers, usually borne in clusters with or without sepals and petals. These appear in early spring and produce dry, single-winged fruits called samaras. The finely toothed leaves are opposite on the stems and are compound, bearing an odd number of leaflets. The common (or European) ash, the white (or American) ash, and the Siebold ash of Asia are particularly valuable sources of woods used for the manufacture of a variety of products, including hockey sticks and fine furniture. The manna ash, notable for its long, white petals, is cultivated in Mediterranean regions for its sweet gum (see Manna). Mountain ash is an unrelated tree of a different family.
Scientific classification: Ash trees constitute the genus Fraxinus, of the family Oleaceae. The common ash is classified as Fraxinus excelsior, the white (or American) ash as Fraxinus americana, the Siebold ash as Fraxinus sieboldiana, and the manna ash as Fraxinus ornus. The mountain ash belongs to the family Rosaceae.
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