Shrubs or small trees, with opposite simple entire leaves, and complete conspicuous white flowers, in large loose panicles from the axils of the upper leaves of the preceding season. Calyx small, 4-cleft or 4-parted, inferior, persistent. Corolla of 4 linear petals, slightly united at the very base, their margins slightly induplicate in the bud. Stamens 2 (rarely 3), inserted on the base of the corolla; filaments very short. Ovules 2 in each cavity of the ovary, pendulous; style short; stigma thick, emarginate or slightly 2-lobed. Fruit an oblong or ovoid usually I-seeded drupe. [Greek, snow-blossom.]

About -1 species, the following typical one of southeastern North America, the others Chinese.

1. Chionanthus Virginica L. Fringe-Tree

Fig. 3324

Chionanthus virginica L. Sp. Pl. 8. 1753.

A shrub, or small tree, reaching a maximum height of about 35° and trunk diameter of about 8', the young twigs, petioles and lower surfaces of the leaves pubescent, or sometimes glabrate. Leaves oval, oblong or some of them obovate, rather thick, acute, short-acuminate to obtuse at the apex, narrowed at the base, 3'-6' long, 1'-3' wide; the blade more or less decurrent on the petiole; panicles drooping, sometimes 10' long, usually with some sessile oblong leaf-like bracts, its branches and the pedicels very slender; petals 1' long or more, 1" wide or less; drupe oblong or globose-oblong, nearly black, 5"-8" long, the pulp thin.

In moist thickets, New Jersey and southern Pennsylvania to Florida, Missouri and Texas. Ascends to 2500 ft. in North Carolina. Wood heavy, hard, light brown; weight per cubic foot 40 lbs. Poison-, white-or flowering-ash. White- or American-fringe. Snow-flower-tree. Shavings. Old-man's beard. Gray-beard-tree. May-June.