Florida Gardening - Pygmy Fringe Tree

Pygmy Fringe Tree

Genus: Chionanthus
Species: Pygmaeus

This is my most prized trees in my garden. They are an endangered species that endemic in central Florida on what is known as the sand ridge. The sand ridge an ancient beach and sand dune formed 1-3 million years ago. [2] These trees are rare and hard to find. They are endangered because of habitat loss from Citrus and Housing development. [1]

Facts:
Status: Endangered as of January 21, 1987 [1]
Height: 10 feet
Life Span: 20-70 years [1]

Propagation:
Little is known about seed dissemination of C. pygmaeus, and seed
production is variable from year to year, with mixed reports for success of
germination. In nursery conditions the best results are obtained with cleaned,
air-dried seed, but whole fruits have also germinated. Bok Tower Gardens has
achieved 60 to 70 percent germination rates under greenhouse conditions
(T. Race, Bok Tower Gardens, personal communication 1996). [1]

Flowers:
White and showy

Fertilization:
None

Diseases:
None

Pests:
None

Reference:

1. https://www.fws.gov/verobeach/MSRPPDFs/Pygmy.PDF
2. https://www.southflorida.edu/news/floridas-heartland-celebrates-the-pygmy-fringe-tree