Syringa vulgaris

Scientific profile

Syringa vulgaris, a member of the olive family (Oleaceae), is a deciduous broad-leaved woody shrub or small tree. It typically grows to around 5 m in height, with individual leaf areas averaging 2406 mm² and a seed mass of approximately 5.5 mg. The leaves expand in spring and are shed in autumn; flowering occurs in May. Originating from parts of south-eastern and eastern Europe and temperate Asia, it was introduced to cultivation by 1501 and is now an established introduced species in Great Britain, where it is considered a neophyte. Its ecological indicator values point to a warm-loving plant that thrives in sunny or partially shaded locations, fresh to moderately moist conditions, and neutral to weakly acidic soils of moderate fertility. The species forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations and provides only modest amounts of nectar and pollen. Habitats derived from these preferences suggest it can persist in moderately nutrient-poor fresh meadows.