Lilac

Lilac (Syrinya vulyaris), a favourite shrub in our gardens, supposed to be of Persian origin. It belongs to the Olive family, growing from 4 to 15 feet high, with opposite entire acute leaves, and large terminal panicles of pink or white flowers. The calyx is small, four-toothed and persistent; the corolla salver-shaped with a long tube and four limb segments; the stamens two, sessile in the corollatube; the style bifid and included; and the fruit, n two-chambered, four-seeded capsule. There are numerous slight variations in cultivation, and 8. Josikaa from Transylvania has flowers which, very unlike those of the other forms, are scentless.