Lilac

Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 species of flowering woody plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia.Flora Europaea: SyringaFlora of China: SyringaFlora of Pakistan: SyringaGermplasm Resources Information Network: Syringa
left|thumb|Syringa josikaea
They are deciduous shrubs or small trees, ranging in size from 2-10 m tall, with stems up to 20-30 cm diameter. The leaves are opposite (occasionally in whorls of three) in arrangement, and their shape is simple and heart-shaped to broad lanceolate in most species, but pinnate in a few species (e.g. S. protolaciniata, S. pinnatifolia). The flowers are produced in spring, each flower being 5-10 mm in diameter with a four-lobed corolla, the corolla tube narrow, 5-20 mm long; they are bisexual, with fertile stamens and stigma 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 large panicles, and in several species have a strong fragrance. Flowering varies between mid spring to early summer, depending on the species. The fruit is a dry, brown capsule, splitting in two at maturity to release the two winged seeds.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
The genus is most closely related to Ligustrum (privet), classified with it in Oleaceae tribus Oleeae subtribus Ligustrinae.University of Oxford, Oleaceae information site: New classification of the Oleaceae
Lilacs are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Copper Underwing, Scalloped Oak and Svensson's Copper Underwing and Saras.
==Species==
right|thumb|250px|Lilacs as showcased in the Lilac Celebration held each May at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Ontario
*Syringa afghanica
*Syringa emodi - Himalayan Lilac
*Syringa josikaea
*Syringa komarowii (syn. S. reflexa)
*Syringa mairei
*Syringa microphylla
*Syringa meyeri
*Syringa oblata
*Syringa pinetorum
*Syringa pinnatifolia
*Syringa protolaciniata
*Syringa pubescens
*Syringa pubescens subsp. julianae (syn. S. julianae)
*Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla (syn. S. microphylla)
*Syringa pubescens subsp. patula (syn. S. patula)
*Syringa reticulata (syn. S. 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 Lilac	
;Hybrids
*Syringa × diversifolia (S. oblata × S. pinnatifolia)
*Syringa × henryi (S. josikaea × S. villosa)
*Syringa × hyacinthiflora (S. oblata × S. vulgaris)
*Syringa × josiflexa (S. josikaea × S. komarowii)
*Syringa × lacinoata (S. protolaciniata × S. vulgaris)
*Syringa × persica (S. protolaciniata × unknown)
*Syringa × prestoniae (S. komarowii × S. villosa)
*Syringa × swegiflexa (S. komarowii × S. sweginzowii)
==References==
Category:Lilac