A deciduous shrub or small tree (Syringa vulgaris), native to the Balkans; growing to 37 m/1023 ft, domed and suckering freely; leaves oval to heart-shaped, in opposite pairs; flowers in dense, conical inflorescences, tubular with four spreading lobes, lilac or white, fragrant; fruit a pointed capsule. A widely cultivated garden ornamental, its botanical name should not be confused with the syringa or mock orange of horticulture. (Family: Oleaceae.)
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Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) in flower |
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About 20 species; Species Syringa afghanica Syringa emodi - Himalayan Lilac Syringa josikaea Syringa komarowii (syn. reflexa) Syringa laciniata - Cut-leaf Lilac Syringa mairei Syringa meyeri Syringa oblata Syringa persica Syringa pinetorum Syringa pinnatifolia Syringa protolaciniata Syringa pubescens (syn. pekinensis) - Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa spontanea Syringa sweginzowii Syringa tibetica Syringa tomentella Syringa villosa Syringa vulgaris - Common Lilac Syringa wardii Syringa wolfii Syringa yunnanensis - Yunnan LilacCultivation and usesLilacs are popular shrubs in parks and gardens throughout the temperate zone. Syringa vulgaris is the state flower of New Hampshire, because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State" (New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 3:5).
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