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Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

Found in forests and woodlands; granite and other acidic rock outcrops; swamps. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

42
Good

Native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 100%

Height
12–30 feet
Spread
12–20 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist

Space about 16 ft apart from its recorded spread. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
Mid spring
Fruiting season
July to September

Recorded in 63 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 3

Forests and woodlands

Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Granite and other acidic rock outcrops

Solution pits, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, DeKalb County
Solution pits on granite. Shown: Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, DeKalb County, Georgia, a neighboring state.Solution pits, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, DeKalb County, Alan M. Cressler / U.S. Geological Survey, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Swamps

Loblolly bay in a coastal swamp
Regional / representative. Shown: Southern coastal swamps, Florida to Virginia; state not identified, a neighboring state.Loblolly bay in a coastal swamp, Marian Ellis Rowan, 1901. Public domain. Source record.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Alabama. Shared habitat, not food. 137 animals.

All wildlife of Alabama

Care

  • Move plants while young; larger plants resent root disturbance.
Care sources
Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

12CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Chionanthus

  • Ceratomia undulosaWaved Sphinx
  • Citheronia regalisRoyal Walnut Moth, Hickory Horned Devil
  • Harrisimemna trisignataHarris's Three-Spot
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Manduca rusticaRustic Sphinx
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Palpita illibalisInkblot Palpita
  • Paonias excaecataBlinded Sphinx, Blind Eyed Sphinx
  • Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Podosesia syringaeLilac Borer Moth, Ash Borer
Show all 12
  • Sphinx kalmiaeFawn Sphinx, Laurel Sphinx
  • Sympistis chionanthiFringed-Tree Sallow, Grey O Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Oleaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–9b
Soil pH
Neutral
Flower color
Cream or white
Growth rate
Slow
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
July
Fruit ends
September

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Fringe Tree; Old Mans Beard

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNR
Global rankG5
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources