Pumpkin Ash
EntdeckenPflanzen
Pumpkin Ash
fraxinus profunda
The Pumpkin Ash (Fraxinus profunda) is a majestic deciduous tree native to the wet bottomlands, swamps, and floodplains of eastern North America. Named for the unique, swollen, pumpkin-like shape of its trunk base when growing in standing water, this impressive tree plays a vital role in wetland ecosystems. It can reach heights of up to 30 meters, standing tall above soggy soils where other tree species struggle to survive. Its presence provides crucial canopy shade, nesting habitat, and food for a variety of wetland wildlife. Sadly, like many North American ashes, the Pumpkin Ash is facing a severe threat from the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle, making wild encounters with healthy mature specimens increasingly rare and valuable for conservation efforts.
Lebensraum: Found in deeply flooded swamps, wet bottomlands, floodplains, and river basins across eastern and central North America.
Aussehen
This large tree is best identified by its distinctive buttressed or swollen lower trunk, which resembles a pumpkin when submerged in swampy environments. Its bark is thick, gray-brown, and deeply furrowed into a diamond-shaped pattern. The compound leaves are oppositely arranged, typically featuring 7 to 9 large, velvety leaflets with finely toothed or smooth margins and fuzzy undersides. In autumn, these leaves turn warm shades of bronze and yellow. During late summer, female trees produce large, drooping clusters of winged seeds called samaras, which are notably larger and wider than those of other ash species.
ReichPlantaeStammTracheophytaKlasseMagnoliopsidaOrdnungLamialesFamilieOleaceaeGattungFraxinus
Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
Mach den ersten Snap!
Interessante Fakten
Its leaves feature exceptionally hairy stalks and undersides compared to other ash species, helping to reduce water loss.
Its seeds (samaras) are the largest of any ash species in North America, perfectly adapted for aquatic travel.
Pumpkin Ash wood is lightweight yet surprisingly strong, historically used for making oars, tool handles, and crates.
The characteristic 'pumpkin' swelling at the base of the tree only develops when it grows in areas that are continuously flooded.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Buttressed Trunk Stability
The swollen, flare-like base of the trunk provides vital physical stability in loose, waterlogged, and muddy swamp soils.
Fähigkeit
Anoxic Root Tolerance
It features specialized physiological adaptations that allow its roots to survive and function in low-oxygen, water-saturated conditions.
Fähigkeit
Hydrochorous Seed Dispersal
Its large, winged samaras are designed to float on water, utilizing seasonal flood currents to colonize new wetland areas.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 1500-3000 cm
- Lebenserwartung
- 80-150 Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photoautotroph, the Pumpkin Ash produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential soil nutrients.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Nahrungssuche
- Photosynthesis
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
eaten by
Emerald Ash Borer
Agrilus planipennis
The highly destructive invasive beetle larvae burrow through the inner bark, disrupting nutrient flow and killing the tree.
host plant
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
The caterpillars of this beautiful butterfly feed on the leaves of the Pumpkin Ash as a primary host plant.
eaten by
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Wood ducks feed heavily on the large, buoyant seeds (samaras) that fall into the swamp water.
Merkmale
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Sammlungen
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Pumpkin Ash?
Der einfachste Weg, Pumpkin Ash zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Pumpkin Ash?
1500-3000 cm
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Pumpkin Ash?
80-150 Jahre
Was frisst Pumpkin Ash?
As a photoautotroph, the Pumpkin Ash produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential soil nutrients.
Wo findet man Pumpkin Ash normalerweise?
Found in deeply flooded swamps, wet bottomlands, floodplains, and river basins across eastern and central North America.
Wie jagt Pumpkin Ash?
Photosynthesis
Snap-Karte
Zoome hinein, um Cluster aufzulösen und zu sehen, wo dieses Objekt fotografiert wurde.
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Neueste Snaps
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