Chionanthus virginicus

The white fringetree is in the olive or Oleaceae family and is native to the southwestern and dry areas in southcentral United States. It is a deciduous small tree growing up to 11 m in height.

• Leaves are opposite, simple, ovate to elliptical, 8–20 cm long, 3–10 cm across with a 2-cm petiole, no teeth; leaves are somewhat thick, green above and paler below.
• The species is usually dioecious, with white flowers with 4 thread-like lobes 2.5 cm long and 3 mm across, many hanging from a 10–20 cm stock.
• Fruit is an ovoid dark blue to purple drupe 1.5–2 cm long with a fleshy pulp and containing a single seed, ripening in late summer.
Shoots are initially light green, becoming light brown with age; bark is scaly, dark gray-brown in color.