Single stem initially, then branched with strap-like leaves, evergreen. Tolerates a wide range of sites, including coastal and swampy sites. Our selection is from a cold inland Canterbury site.

Manna ash - from south Europe and southwest Asia. Broadly spreading, deciduous. Bark is dark grey remaining smooth. Leaves with 5-9 broad ovoid leaflets, autumn colours yellow or purple. Conspicuous clusters of small fragrant white flowers, insect pollinated, developing into bunches of slender samaras. Sap produces a sugary extract 'manna'. Very drought tolerant and used as a street tree.

Narrowly conical when young, evergreen. Masses of very small white flowers Dec/Jan, worked by bees. Tolerates exposed, cold and low fertility sites. Useful nurse tree for native revegetation projects.

Broadly spreading, evergreen. Shiny leaves with dense white or pale buff tomentum on the underside. Tiny dark red scented flowers, followed by green 3cm capsules. Great coastal shelter but not for cold frosty inland districts.