Family: Oleaceae
common name: ash
ETYMOLOGY: The generic name is one with which the ancient Latin name for the plant, in turn derived from the greek word phrà ssein (us assembled). The specific attribute excelsior (highest) is the comparative of most of the Latin term Excelsus -a-um, meaning big, tall
The ash is a large deciduous tree, native of southern Europe and Asia Minor, spread throughout the Italian peninsula, the harbor and the majestic soaring in isolated specimens can reach a height of 40 meters. The trunk, which can exceed one meter in diameter, is straight and cylindrical, with the bark initially smooth, greenish-gray with light spots, that with age becomes brownish-gray tones and longitudinal cracks. It's kind lucivaga, mesophilic and demanding, requiring deep and fertile soil, moist and rich in humus.
The wood is hard, compact and flexible, easily deformable and easy work: it was used to fabricate components of farm carts (wheels and shafts), good handles of tools and utensils (for example, picks, hammers, axes and hammers), ladders of small and medium size.
More rarely was used to produce furniture, kitchen cutting boards, wedges to use as an alternative to steel. Even today this tree provides a valuable wood, used for making handles of tools and utensils and even , furniture, veneer or solid wood.
More rarely was used to produce furniture, kitchen cutting boards, wedges to use as an alternative to steel. Even today this tree provides a valuable wood, used for making handles of tools and utensils and even , furniture, veneer or solid wood.
Important forest essence, the ash is widely used as an ornamental plant, especially in some of its varieties, also in gardens, parks and street trees.
the branches are placed opposite each other on the trunk, smooth and greenish light. The gems, clear and hairy, opposed, blackish, with the post apex of branches larger than the other
the leaves of ash are very large (no more than 25 cm), opposite, compound and imparipinnate with 7-15 leaflets lanceolate, apex acute, subsessili, green intense in the upper side and lighter at the bottom. The margin is finely serrated
male and female flowers appear in early spring, the branches still devoid of leaves, which generally in panicles axillary flowers of one type, but sometimes hermaphrodites. Petals and sepals are absent, but the shades of purple stamens and other floral organs give the foliage a typical color
fruits are samaras lanceolate-linear, as long as 60 mm long stalk, and grouped in clusters, at first light green, then yellow, then reddish-brown at maturity, which remain attached to the branches all winter
history and mythology: the Nordic peoples, before the advent of Christianity, considered a sacred plant ash, a symbol of male power: they came from called yggdrasil (world tree) and its branches are considered messengers lives the two ravens of the god Odin. According to the beliefs it was Odin, the main deity of those people, to use a piece of wood ash to give birth to the first man. Also in the vicinity of the ash tree Yggdrasil Mimir was the miraculous spring, that Odin was a source of wisdom and acumen.
According to the Vikings ash arose from three roots that originated from three different worlds, lower house of the gods. The three worlds came together in the trunk, running up the floor of heaven and earth. Higher up the branches extended up to the heavenly abode of the Gods.
The Celts considered the ash symbol of rebirth and a source of miraculous cures.
For the ancient Greeks this tree was sacred to Poseidon, and also was believed to be inhabited by nymphs Meliadi. According to Hesiod
it descended the race of men of bronze, "scary and violent." Ash and bronze were symbols of toughness and the weapons of these people were of bronze and had handles of ash.
it descended the race of men of bronze, "scary and violent." Ash and bronze were symbols of toughness and the weapons of these people were of bronze and had handles of ash.
The Romans assumed instead that the ash had medicinal properties: Pliny recommended to use the juice of the leaves to cure the bite of poisonous snakes.
In the Middle Ages were burnt pieces of wood ash for a room away from the influence of evil spirits and it was believed that vampires could be killed only sticking to their hearts a sharp branch of ash.
In the Middle Ages were burnt pieces of wood ash for a room away from the influence of evil spirits and it was believed that vampires could be killed only sticking to their hearts a sharp branch of ash.
MEDICINAL USE AND FOOD cortex was obtained from a decoction to treat liver diseases and an extract from the ashes against scabies. The leaves were used for animal feed. The leaves also have a certain regulatory activities such as bowel and was also found to use their usefulness as adjuvants in the treatment of gout, articular rheumatism, arthritis and kidney stones. The laxative action is light but sure. The extracts are obtained leaves (for external use), bark and fruits (for internal use).
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