# common lilac (*Syringa vulgaris*) The common lilac is a beautiful flowering shrub that fills the air with a sweet scent in spring. Its lovely purple flowers attract butterflies and bees, making gardens colorful and lively. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![common lilac](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lilac_Larousse_Extracted.png&width=800) Photo: Arbres d'ornement-1 - ornamental trees in colour- Public domain book illustration (visual explanation, informative drawing, plate) from Laro, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilac_Larousse_Extracted.png) ## Appearance The common lilac is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, typically showcasing heart-shaped green leaves. It has clusters of highly fragrant, tiny flowers densely packed into large, conical panicles, most often in shades of purple, but also white and pink. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Oleaceae - **Genus:** Syringa ## Interesting facts - In ancient myths, lilacs were thought to chase away evil spirits with their enchanting scent. - Lilac flowers have four petals, but finding a rare five-petal one is considered good luck! - Lilac wood is incredibly dense and was once used for carving intricate designs and musical instruments! - The beautiful color 'lilac' is named after these very flowers because of their unique purple shade. ## Special abilities - **Scent Beacon:** Common lilac releases a strong, sweet fragrance to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies from a distance. - **Deep Drinker:** Common lilac has a robust root system that helps it survive periods of dry weather by accessing deeper water sources. - **Long-lived Resilience:** Common lilac can live for decades, even centuries, allowing it to re-sprout and thrive in varied conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 240-450 cm - **Spread:** 180-360 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen from fragrant flowers - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — visits lilac blossoms to gather sweet nectar - **Eaten by:** [Roe deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — browses on young lilac leaves and shoots - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — sips nectar from abundant lilac flowers during migration ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths and don't pick flowers without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify common lilac? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is common lilac? 240-450 cm ### How wide does common lilac spread? 180-360 cm ### How big are the flowers on common lilac? 0.5-1.5 cm ### When does common lilac bloom? Spring ### Is common lilac edible? Yes ### Is common lilac toxic? None ### What is common lilac's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [North Fork Valley Rural Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-fork-valley-rural-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [El Capricho Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-capricho-gardens) — Central Spain, ES · Park [View all places to see common lilac](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-lilac) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Common Lilac: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-lilac)