Common Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Data

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Lamiales

Family:

Oleaceae (Olive)

Also in this family:

Border Forsythia, Common Ash, Common Jasmine, Garden Privet, Wild Privet

Type:

Deciduous shrub

Maximum Size:

7 metres tall

Habitats:

Gardens, hedgerows, woodland.

Flower:

Variable in colour, 4 petals

White, lilac or purple clusters, 4 petals.

Fruit:

A brown capsule, up to 2cm in length.

Leaves:

A deciduous shrub. Light green, hairless, heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems.

Aroma:

Fragrant.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map