The Fringe Tree, also known as the Grancy Greybeard, is a shrub or small tree with a short trunk, narrow, oblong crown, and showy masses of fragrant, lacy, white flowers that hang in drooping clusters in late spring. The soft, wispy flowers are followed by dark blue fruits in the summer that are enjoyed by many animals. One of the last trees to bear new leaves in spring, the Fringe Tree appears dead until the leaves and flowers appear. This trouble-free plant is very adaptable and tolerant of poor soil and drought. Height: 12-20’
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Chionanthus
Species: Chionanthus virginicus
Habitat
Forest, Urban
Distribution
Native to the savannas and lowlands of the northeastern and southeastern United States, from Massachusetts south to Florida, and west to Oklahoma and Texas.
Seasonality
Spring, Summer, Fall
Abundance
Common
Activity Time
Diurnal
Diet
Behavior
Ecological Role
Larval host of the Rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica) and the berries are eaten by various wildlife