At this time of year Flowering Ash is one of the showiest native trees at Gangivecchio. Frothy white clusters of tiny flowers are fragrant and lavishly ornamental displayed against bright green masses of young foliage. In Sicily, this winter deciduous tree is well known for the Manna sugar which is produced from incisions cut into the bark of the trunk and branches. Manna is still sold locally in small packets for use as a sweetener as well as for various folklore medicinal purposes.
Scientific name: Fraxinus ornus
Italian common name: Orniello, Frassino da manna
English common name: Flowering or Manna Ash
