Chionanthus virginicus, Fringe tree
An ornamental North American small tree with dangling fragrant white flowers, having bark and roots used in liver and gallbladder disorders.
scientific name Chionanthus virginicus L.
family Oleaceae
alternate names Snowdrop tree, old man’s beard
parts used Root and stem bark
Elegant flowers of fringe tree
Description
Fringe tree is a deciduous small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub growing to 5m tall by 3m wide, with large leathery leaves. The dangling pure white flowers appear in May-June on two-year-old wood when the plant is 5-8 years old. It is dioecious and seeds ripen to bluish fruits in October if both male and female plants are grown.
Habitat
From south-eastern North America and found in damp woods and scrub or by streams.
Cultivation and harvest
Cultivation
Hardy to USDA zone 5a (UK zone 4), and prefers a rich moist soil which is acidic to neutral. Can grow in sun or light shade, but is best in full sun. Fringe tree can be cut back to one main stem or can be pollarded. It is intolerant of wind but tolerant of air pollution and drought.
Pests and diseases
Related to the olive family and may be susceptible to ash die back.
Propagation
Sow ripe seed in autumn. Stored seed should be scarified and soaked in warm water for 24 hours and then given three months, warm and three months cold stratification – the seed may not germinate till second spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions the following spring or early summer. Fringe tree is known to be difficult to grow from cuttings1 and we agree (we have tried). Layering in spring or autumn takes 15 months.
Harvesting
Bark can be harvested at any time of year, then dried for later use.
Therapeutic use
Traditional
Traditionally the root bark was used in fevers or externally for inflammations or wounds. The Choctaw tribe used the bark to treat cuts, bruises and wounds.2 Use of the tincture and fluid extract for liver congestion was reported by a physician in the early twentieth century.3
Medicinal actions and uses
The root bark is bitter, alterative, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, laxative and tonic. Used in present day herbal medicine for disorders of the digestive system, especially gallbladder inflammation. It has been shown that the active ingredients in the root bark are also present in the stem bark.4
Clinical applications and research
Little research has been carried out on the fringe tree. Polyphenolic lignans, phillyrin and pinoresinols in the root bark extracted with alcohol have been shown to have considerable anti-oxidant activity.5
Sample preparations and dosage
Tincture of the bark 1-2ml three times daily. This remedy is best used with professional supervision.
Fringe tree shrub; roots of fringe tree
Constituents and commerce
Key constituents
The stem and root barks contain resin and lignan glycosides (including phillyrin), saponin glycosides and secoiridoids.6
Commerce
Fringetree bark and root is not widely sold as a herbal medicine but the tree is occasionally available in horticultural outlets as an ornamental flowering small tree.
Safety
Overdoses can cause vomiting, headache and a slow pulse. This plant should not be used if there is a possibility of impacted gallstones or growths obstructing the gall-bladder duct.
1 Carpenter W, Ostmark E and Sheehan T. (1991) Recommendations for germinating fringetree Chionanthus virginicus L. seed. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 104: 337-340.
2 Conway (2001) p157.
3 Roux F. (1913) Note on the use of Chionanthus virginiana in diseases of the liver. Ind Med Gaz 48: 394-395.
4 Penman KG, Bone K and Lehmann RP. (2008) Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.) stem bark offers a sustainable alternative to root bark. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism 20: 107-111.
5 Gülçin I, Elias R, Gepdiremen A, et al. (2006) Anti-oxidant activity of lignans from fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus L.). Eur Food Res Technol 223: 759.
6 Boyer L, Baghdikian B, Bun SS, et al. (2011) Chionanthus virginicus L.: Phytochemical analysis and quality control of herbal drug and herbal preparations. Nat Prod Commun 6: 753-758.