Scientific name: Syringa spp.
Common name: lilac
Native: No
Native range: Native to Asia and southeastern Europe, but were introduced to the United States prior to 1700 [1,3].
Distribution in North America: Click to view the USDA Plants Database page for Syringa spp.
USDA Zones: 3B-7A [4]
Maximum age: Unclear.
Ecology: Its foliage supports a variety of insects, while its fragrant, purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds [4].
Ethnobotany: Due to its abundant, perfumey flowers which range from lavender to deep purple, it is a popular ornamental [1,4,5]. Its fragrance is also extracted as an essential oil and used in perfumery [5]. The flowers are not only pleasantly odorous, but can be eaten fresh or fried as a fritter [4]. Indigenous American groups, including the Haudenosaunee, used it to relieve pain from mouth sores and used the wood to make hunting tools [2].
