OLIVE FAMILY 



325 



the Latin name of the tree, perhaps referring to the ease with 

 which it may be split.) 



1. F. excelsior (Common Ash). — A noble tree, characterised by 

 the smooth, light, ash-coloured bark of its younger branches, of 

 which the lower ones droop, and curve upwards again at the 

 extremities ; by its large, black, terminal buds ; by the large, 



ligiJstrum vulgar£ (Privet). 



unequally pinnate leaves of 9 — 15 leaflets, which are lanceolate 

 and serrate ; by the dense clusters of flowers, some consisting only 

 of two purple-black stamens, others only of an ovary, and others 

 of both ; and by the tufts of pendulous seed-vessels, popularly 

 called " keys," which remain attached to the tree until the spring. 

 A variety is occasionally found with only the terminal leaflets to 

 its leaves. — Woods and hedges ; common. — Fl. April, May, before 

 leafing. Perennial 



