[2][3][4][5] There are four subspecies, treated as distinct species by some authors:[1][2] of Fraxinus angustifolia subsp.

oxycarpa In Sicily, it is cultivated as a source of a plant sap product called manna (see Fraxinus ornus).

It has been widely planted as a street and park tree, and has spread to native bushland and grasslands, as well as stream banks and drainage lines, out-competing native plants for moisture, light and nutrients.

It was for this reason that in the 1930’s that a breeding programme was commissioned to produce a sterile deciduous tree that could handle the tough conditions in temperate Australia, the results of which were highly successful.

In honour of the nursery in Aldgate, Adelaide Hills, South Australia that was responsible for the development, the Raywood Nursery, the new species was named Fraxinus raywoodii, commonly known as Claret ash.