Carolina water ash is a rather small, long-lived, deciduous tree or shrub that is native to the southeastern US. In North Carolina, it grows in the deeper swamps and along river bottoms of the Carolina coastal plains and Piedmont areas, although some specimens have been found in Wake and Anson counties. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). The species epithet means “Carolinian.” In nature, Carolina water ash is an understory tree in moist to wet, shady sites with acidic soil. It does not tolerate salt spray or brackish waters. It will grow in full sun if it has access to adequate soil moisture. Carolina water ash is often enlarged at the base and leaning, with a rounded or narrow crown. Typically, the tree grows to 25 feet tall with a diameter of 6 to 8 inches. The leaves are interesting, fairly large and pinnately compound. The winged seed pods hang in groups and add additional interest. Use it in wet areas of the yard or where there is frequent standing water, pond margins, boggy areas or low-lying sites. It is perfect for rain gardens. butterfly or native plant gardens. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems : Susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer ( Agrilus planipennis ), a very destructive wood-boring beetle native to Asia. It was discovered in North America in July 2002, and has become established in Michigan, New York, Ohio and Ontario (Canada). Millions of ash trees have been killed in the northeastern US. See potential insect and disease problems in the factsheets to the left. More information on Fraxinus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-trunked; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The pinnately compound leaves have 5 to 9 leaflets and are 7 to 12 inches long. Leaflets are 2 to 4 inches long and 2 inches across with a usually serrated margin but sometimes entire. Upperside is dark green and the underside is paler and smooth. Overall feel is thick and smooth.
Flower color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower form
Insignificant; Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Green to purplish flowers are dioecious and appear in spring in clusters before the leaves. Male flowers are in a dense mass while female flowers are a more open cluster or panicle. They bloom in May. Similar to those of other ash species.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Flattened broad-wing samaras are 1 1/2 to 2 inches long and 1/2- 3/4 inches wide. The violet wings hang well below the seed portion and there can be 2 to 3 wings. Matures from July to October.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray; Orange
Bark detail
Scaly bark, gray to slightly orange-brown, sometimes splotchy. Irregular scaly ridges develop with age.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Twigs are smooth but sometimes fuzzy, gray-brown, with oval leaf scars.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States to Cuba
Distribution
Throughout the southeaster states. North Carolina coastal plain and Piedmont.
Wildlife value
Larval host plant for Eastern tiger swallowtail. It is an important forage plant for deer and seeds are eaten by waterfowl, which also use it for roosting.
Attracts
Butterflies; Songbirds
Host plant for
Eastern tiger swallowtail
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Samara
Uses (ethnobotany)
The wood of this tree is light and soft and is not used commercially.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond; Riparian
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Native Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden