Syringa is a genus of 12 currently recognized species offloweringwoody plants in the olive family orOleaceae[1] calledlilacs. These lilacs are native to woodland and scrub from southeasternEurope to easternAsia, and widely and commonly cultivated intemperate areas elsewhere.[2][3][4][5]
The genus is most closely related toLigustrum (privet), classified with it in Oleaceae tribus Oleeae subtribus Ligustrinae.[6]
Lilacs are smalltrees, ranging in size from 2 to 10 metres (6 ft 7 in to 32 ft 10 in) tall, with stems up to 20 to 30 centimetres (7.9 to 11.8 in) diameter. Theleaves are opposite (occasionally in whorls of three) inarrangement, and theirshape is simple and heart-shaped to broad lanceolate in most species, butpinnate in a few species (e.g.S. protolaciniata,S. pinnatifolia).[9]
Theflowers are produced in spring, each flower being 5 to 10 millimetres (0.20 to 0.39 in) in diameter with a four-lobedcorolla, the corolla tube narrow, 5 to 20 millimetres (0.20 to 0.79 in) long; they aremonoecious, with fertilestamens andstigma in each flower. The usual flower colour is a shade of purple (often a light purple or "lilac"), but white, pale yellow and pink, and even a dark burgundy color are also found.
The flowers grow in largepanicles, and in several species have a strong fragrance. Flowering varies between mid spring to early summer, depending on the species.[3][4][5][10] One particular cultivar, trademarkBloomerang, first blooms in spring and then again late summer through fall.[11][12]
A white, double-flowered cultivarDormant lilac budsLilac wood
Lilacs are popular shrubs inparks andgardens throughout the temperate zone, and severalhybrids and numerouscultivars have been developed. The termFrench lilac is often used to refer to moderndouble-flowered cultivars, thanks to the work of prolific breederVictor Lemoine. Lilacs grow most successfully in well-drained soils, particularly those based on chalk.[20] They flower on old wood, and produce more flowers if unpruned. If pruned, the plant responds by producing fast-growing young vegetative growth with no flowers, in an attempt to restore the removed branches. Lilac bushes can be prone to powdery mildew disease.
Lilac wood is not commonly used or commercially harvested due to the small size of the tree.[21] It is a relatively hard wood, with an estimatedJanka hardness of 2,350 lbf (10,440 N), and is reportedly good forwoodturning.[21] The sapwood is typically cream-coloured and the heartwood can have various streaks of brown and purple.[21]
Species have been historically used in various traditional medicines in Asia for treating ailments including cough, diarrhea, acuteicterichepatitis, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bronchitis.[22] Compounds isolated from species ofSyringa includephenylpropanoids such assyringin andiridoids such asoleuropein.[22] Substituent compounds, such as iridoids, as well as crude extracts fromSyringa plants have been shown to have to have effects includingantitumor,antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifungal activities in pharmacological studies.[23]
Lilacs are often considered to symbolize first love.[24]
InGreece,Macedonia,Lebanon, andCyprus, the lilac is strongly associated withEaster time because it flowers around that time; it is consequently calledpaschalia.
The music-hall song byIvor Novello,We'll Gather Lilacs, first performed in 1945, speaks of the longing of two lovers to be reunited in a traditional English rural setting. It has since been recorded and performed by numerous artists.[25]
Syringa vulgaris is thestate flower ofNew Hampshire, because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State."[26]
Several locations in North America hold annualLilac Festivals, including:
TheArnold Arboretum inBoston,Massachusetts, which celebrates "Lilac Sunday" every May. The Arboretum shows off its collection of over 422 lilac plants, of 194 different varieties.[27] Lilac Sunday is the only day of the year when picnicking is allowed on the grounds of the Arboretum.
Lombard, Illinois, called the "Lilac Village", which has an annual lilac festival and parade in May. The village also containsLilacia Park, a garden with over 200 varieties of lilacs, as well as over 50 kinds oftulips.
Mackinac Island, inMichigan, which celebrates a weeklong lilac festival and lilac parade each June.
Rochester, New York, which has held itsLilac Festival since 1898, hosts the longest-running festival in North America. Held in Highland Park, this celebration features 1,200 shrubs, representing over 500 varieties, many of which were developed in Rochester. It is the largest collection of varieties at any single place.
Spokane, Washington, known as the "Lilac City", which holds an annual lilac festival and lilac parade.
Franktown, Ontario, Canada, known as the Lilac Capital of Canada, holds an annual festival. With drystone masonry demonstrations and horse pulled wagon rides.[28]
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, holds an annual one-dayLilac Festival, which is primarily a street festival.
