Green Ash Samara
Scientific Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Category: tree
Brief Description
A single-winged dry fruit, commonly known as a 'helicopter seed,' produced by ash trees.
Characteristics
Elongated, paddle-shaped wing with a small seed at one end. The wing is usually narrow and attaches halfway down the seed cavity. It turns brown and papery when mature.
Habitat
Found in floodplains, stream banks, and deciduous forests, as well as urban areas where it is a popular street tree.
When to Find It
Fruit matures in late summer to autumn and often persists on the tree into winter.
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered (IUCN) due to the devastating impact of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle.
Ecological Role
Provides a food source for various birds (like finches and grosbeaks) and small mammals. The winged design allows for wind dispersal to colonize new areas.
Easily Confused With
White Ash (Fraxinus americana) samaras, which have a wing that does not extend as far down the seed. Maple samaras (samaras in pairs) and Elm samaras (circular wings).
Observation Tips
Look for these on the ground in autumn. You can toss them into the air to watch them spin like propellers.
Interesting Facts
Ash trees are dioecious, meaning individual trees are either male or female; only the female trees produce these seeds.