Fraxinus paxiana Lingelsheim var. sikkimensis Linglesheim

Habit

Tree

Family Description

Trees or shrubs, occasionally lianes. Leaves opposite, rarely alternate, simple, trifoliate or pinnate, peltate glands present on undersurface; stipules usually absent. Flowers bisexual (unisexual in Fraxinus), actinomorphic, in axillary or terminal inflorescences. Calyx 4-lobed (sometimes 4-5-lobed, as in Jasminum), rarely absent. Petals united into a tube, typical 4-(occasionally) 6-12)-lobed, sometimes deeply so, rarely absent, imbricate in bud. Stamens 2, epipetalous, anthers 2-celled, introrse, with longitudinal dehiscence. Pistil 1, ovary superior, of 2 fused carpels with axile placentation; ovules usually 2 per locule (4-10 in Forsythia), anatropous. Style 1 or none; stigmas 1-2. Fruit a berry, drupe, loculicidal capsule or samara.

Genus Description

Trees with opposite, unequally pinnate leaves. Inflorescence a large panicle, racemose or subfascicled, terminal or on shortened axillary branches, bracts and bracteoles caducous. Flowers small, polygamous or dioecious, buds blackened. Calyx small, 4-toothed or absent. Petals absent or 2-4, free or connate in pairs. Stamens attached at base of petals; filaments short or long. Stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a winged samara, 1-seeded.

Species description

Large tree similar to F.floribunda, differing in the following characters. Buds often red-brown tomentose. Leaves with (1-)3 pairs of leaflets broadly lanceolate, 8-21 x 2.5-6.5cm, apex long-acute to acuminate, base broadly cuneate to rounded, margin crenate-denticulate; petiole to 10cm long, almost glabrous to red-brown hairy; petiolule of terminal leaflet 5-15mm, lateral petiolules 1-2mm (leaflets subsessile) and densely red-brown hairy, rachis otherwise sparsely hairy. Flowers cream, sometimes flushed green. Samara linear-spathulate, tip emarginate, 20-35 x 3-4mm.