Common Lilac
Syringa vulgaris · Oleaceae (Olive family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Ovate to cordate (heart-shaped at the base)
Margin
Entire (smooth edge)
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and branching lateral veins arching toward the margin.
Key Features
Opposite leaf arrangement combined with broadly ovate to heart-shaped (cordate) leaves, entire margins, and a smooth, glabrous surface.
Description
The common lilac is a popular deciduous shrub or small tree celebrated for its intensely fragrant, showy spring flowers ranging from purple to white. It features dense foliage with distinctively heart-shaped or ovate leaves that provide a lush green backdrop during the growing season before dropping in autumn.
Habitat
Thrives in full sun and well-drained, fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Commonly cultivated in gardens, parks, and old homestead sites, tolerating moderate drought once established.
Native Range
Native to the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe, but widely naturalized and cultivated across temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.