Manna ash The Manna Tree ![🌳](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6b/1/16/1f333.png)
![🍯](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tfb/1/16/1f36f.png)
The manna ash (scientific name Fraxinus ornus) is a tree native to southern Europe and can reach a height of 24 meters.
The flowers
appear before the leaves and are grouped in panicles. They are small, cream-white, fragrant flowers with 4 petals.
![🌸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/1f338.png)
The fruits are called samaras, composed of a seed wrapped in a kind of wing.
It thrives in sunny areas, with hot summers and mild winters, and is often associated with the Mediterranean scrubland. This plant, considered a pioneer species, is useful in reforestation in challenging environments and is also appreciated as an ornamental plant.
![⁉️](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tec/1/16/2049.png)
![😲](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tad/1/16/1f632.png)
Sometimes, the manna ash emits a sweetish liquid, “manna”
, from the cracks in its bark; the liquid contains an alcohol, mannitol, which can be turned into a slightly laxative syrup.
![🍯](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tfb/1/16/1f36f.png)
#LIFEprogramme #LIFEproject #EUpollinators #Natura2000
#Fraxinus #mannaash #pollinators #bees
Photo Nedelin, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
![364134608_610011027889147_139487207500267050_n](https://mizar.unive.it/lifepollinaction.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/364134608_610011027889147_139487207500267050_n.jpg)