Lilac – Syringa vulgaris

Common Name: Lilac

Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris, si-RIN-ga vul-GAH-ris

Decorative Life: About 5-10 days.

Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White

Availability: Spring, Winter

• Member of the Oleaceae (olive family).
• Native to Europe, Central Asia.
• Common relatives include forsythia, jasmine, osmanthus and olive.

• Has small star-shaped flowers in pyramid-shaped clusters (6-10 inches long) at stem ends.
• Stems are woody, up to 24 inches.
• Plant is a deciduous shrub or small tree, classed as a dicotyledon.
• Flowers have a sweet, mild and very characteristic fragrance.

At 36-39F for up to 7 days in water.

• From the Greek “syrinx” (a pipe) referring to the stems which are hollow. Even the common name lilac is from the Persian “nilak” (blue).
• The specific epithet name “vulgaris” means common.
• Commonly grown as a landscape plant. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in cheeses and frozen yogurt and as a garnish with sweet dishes such as cakes.
• The sap of fresh-cut lilac branches is said to reduce vaselife of other flowers so let them stand in water alone for a time before combining with other flowers.
• Immersion of the stem ends in boiling water for a few seconds is said to facilitate water uptake.