Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Lamiales, Family: Oleaceae, Genus: Syringa, Species: Syringa vulgaris · Oleaceae (Olive family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Syringa vulgaris
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Oleaceae (Olive family)
Shape
Ovate to cordate (heart-shaped)
Size
Approximately 2-4 inches long and 1-3 inches wide, which is typical for the species.
Margin
Entire (smooth edges)
Arrangement
Opposite
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Muted olive green with some brownish discoloration and yellowing due to being pressed, dried, and aging.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate with a prominent midrib and branching secondary veins.
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) surfaces, now flattened and papery due to being preserved in a herbarium mount.
Description
Syringa vulgaris is a large deciduous shrub or small tree known for its heavily fragrant, showy flower clusters in spring. The leaves are simple, opposite, dark green, and heart-shaped, providing a lush backdrop before the blooms appear and maintaining a dense shrub canopy throughout summer.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement, heart-shaped (cordate) to ovate leaf blades with entire margins, smooth glabrous texture, and characteristic branching twig structure.
Habitat
Full sun to partial shade, well-drained loamy or alkaline soils, commonly cultivated in temperate gardens and parks.
Geographic Range
Native to the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe; widely naturalized and cultivated across temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good for a preserved herbarium specimen. The leaves show typical drying artifacts, slight browning, and minor edge tearing, held down by transparent tape.
Interesting Facts
The common lilac is the state flower of New Hampshire, symbolizing the hardy character of the state's citizens. Its intense fragrance has made it a staple in perfumery for centuries.
Medicinal & Uses
Primarily used as an ornamental landscape shrub valued for its spring flowers and fragrance. Historically, extracts from the bark and leaves were used in traditional folk medicine to reduce fevers and treat malaria, though modern use is strictly decorative.
Ecological Role
Provides cover and nesting sites for small birds and insects. Flowers are a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in spring.
Similar Species
Persian lilac (Syringa persica) which has smaller, narrower, sometimes lobed leaves; and Privet (Ligustrum spp.) which has smaller, narrower leaves and different inflorescences.
Foraging Tips
Look for multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs in older residential landscapes, abandoned homesteads, and cultivated parks, easily identified by their opposite, heart-shaped leaves and distinctive woody capsules persisting into winter.
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic. The leaves, flowers, and stems are generally considered safe for humans and pets, though ingestion in large quantities is not recommended.