The Flowering Ash or manna ash is an olive tree that is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. The deciduous tree, which reaches a height of 5 to 10 meters, and occasionally up to 25 meters, forms a loose, fairly open canopy. The species is very robust and can handle dry, very warm locations well.

The blooming period lasts from April to June. The pleasantly fragrant white flowers appear at the same time as the leaves. Toward the end of the year, the leaves display a purplish red autumn color.

The Flowering Ash is often planted as a solitary tree in park facilities and in public urban green spaces, with its striking and abundant flower clusters being the main reason for this. For pollinating insects, the flowers offer a lot of pollen but only a little nectar.

The species is an ancient medicinal plant that provides manna. In the 15th century, the tree was cultivated in large parts of southern Italy (Sicily) specifically for the production of the sweet tree sap.  Manna was used as a mucolytic and as a laxative for colds. However, it has nothing to do with the biblical manna.