| a shrub or small tree, Chionanthus virginicus, of the olive family, native to the southern U.S., bearing open clusters of white flowers with long, narrow petals. |
| fringe tree n. A shrub or small tree (Chionanthus virginicus) of the southeast United States, having drooping clusters of white flowers and dark blue fruit. Also called old-man's-beard. |
fringe tree
either of two tree species in the genus Chionanthus in the family Oleaceae. They get their name from the long, fringy, snow-white flowers that cover the trees in spring. The flowers hang in clusters of about the same length as the leaves and have four narrow petals.
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