Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 7325877

Narrow-leaved Ash

Fraxinus angustifolia

Also known as Desert Ash, Raywood Ash, Caucasian Ash

Narrow-leaved ash thrives along riverbanks, floodplains, and damp woodlands across southern Europe, Northwest Africa, and Southwest Asia. Its sleek pinnate leaves feature 7 to 13 slender, sharply serrated leaflets that turn brilliant shades of bronze or purple in autumn. Deeply furrowed gray bark and winged samaras dispersed by winter winds mark its role as a key canopy tree in riparian ecosystems.

TreeDeciduousRiparian
Narrow-leaved Ash reference1 / 7
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Emerald Ash Borer
  • Ash Bark Beetle
  • Leaf-eating Caterpillars
ThreatsEmerald ash borer, ash dieback fungal pathogen, habitat destruction
HabitatsRiparian forests, floodplains, damp woodlands, riverbanks
Life span100–250 years
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyOleaceae
  3. GenusFraxinus
  4. SpeciesFraxinus angustifolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Identification: Look for slender, lance-shaped leaflets arranged in opposite pairs along the stalk.
  • Seasonal Colors: Watch for striking purple and bronze foliage shifts during autumn.
  • Winter Clues: Check for pale brown winter buds, which distinguish it from the dark black buds of European ash.
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