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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Fraxinus greggii Gray
Gregg's ash, Littleleaf ash, Escobilla
Oleaceae (Olive Family)
USDA Symbol: frgr2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Gregg’s ash has nearly evergreen leaves that are less than 2 in. long. It is a shrub or sometimes small tree to 19 ft. in height. Smooth, thin, gray bark; slender branches; and pinnate, dark-green, leathery leaves characterize the plant. Flowers are inconspicuous.
The specific epithet, “greggii,” was given for Josiah Gregg, (1806-1850). He was born in Overton County, Tennessee. In the summer of 1841 and again in the winter of 1841-42 he traveled through Texas, up the Red River valley, and later from Galveston to Austin and by way of Nacogdoches to Arkansas. He took note of Texas geology, trees, prevalent attitudes, and politics. At the same time, Gregg began compiling his travel notes into a readable manuscript. His “Commerce of the Prairies”, which came out in two volumes in 1844, was an immediate success. In 1848 he joined a botanical expedition to western Mexico and California, during which he corresponded with and sent specimens to the eminent botanist George Engelmann in St. Louis. Subsequently, the American Botanical Society added the Latinized form of his name, “greggii” in his honor, to twenty-three species of plants. Gregg died on February 25, 1850, as a result of a fall from his horse.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Size Notes: Tree height to 19 ft.
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AZ , NM , TXNative Distribution: S. TX to AZ
Native Habitat: Bluffs; talus slopes; arroyos; canyons
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky, soils limestone-based, caliche, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam
Benefit
Use Ornamental: AttractiveUse Wildlife: Browsed by deer. Nesting site, cover, browse, seeds for granivorous birds
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Deer Resistant: No
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Fraxinus greggii is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Seeds may be sown outdoors after collection or stored and stratified then sown in spring. Can be rooted from the juvenile wood of a sapling that has not yet flowered.Seed Treatment: Stratify in moist sand or perlite for 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Fraxinus greggii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Fraxinus greggii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Fraxinus greggii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-10-22Research By: RSB
