Plants
Fraxinus ornus L.
Media
SUMMARY
Fraxinus ornus L., commonly known as manna ash, is a small-medium deciduous tree, producing abundant large and scented inflorescences which attract several pollinating insects. It is a frugal and fast-growing plant, able to colonise open habitats, especially if disturbed by animal browsing, wildfires, landslides and logging. Manna ash forests are managed as mixed coppices for firewood production. In few rural areas of Sicily this ash is still cultivated for the production of manna, the crystallised sap, which has a bittersweet taste and it is used as sweetener, laxative and digestive.