Fraxinus americana L., Sp. Pl. 1057. 1753. Type: USA. Virginia: without locality, Clayton 732 (lectotype: LINN 1230.3, designated by Fernald, J. Arnold Arbor. 26: 391, pl. 3. 1946).

The great number of synonyms attests to the variability and complexity of the species. The most characteristic feature is the "papillose" leaflet abaxials (described by Weakley (2012) as minutely honeycombed-reticulate) more or less whitened or glaucous. Other character states used to distinguish the species are the potiolulate leaflets, the thick, terete fruit bodies, with a wing somewhat decurrent on the body and twigs with obtuse terminal buds and triangular lateral buds.

White ash grows naturally from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia to northern Florida in the east, and to eastern Minnesota south to eastern Texas at the western edge of its range.

The wood is straight-grained, strong and highly resistant to shock, making it especially useful for flooring, tool handles, oars and baseball bats. Prized for its bright, clear sound, it is also used for making electric guitar bodies such as the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster as well as some drum shells.

This is the core of the white ash complex. Nesom (2010), citing chromosome studies of Santamour (1962) and Wright (1945, 1957) states that Fraxinus americana sensu strictu is diploid, Fraxinus biltmoreana is tetraploid and Fraxinus smallii is hexaploid. He claims there are morphological characters correlated with the ploidy level.