Syringa emodi explained

Syringa emodi^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} is a species in the genus Syringa, in the family Oleaceae. It is also known as Himalayan lilac.

Description

• Height/Spread: Shrub to 5m in height, spreading to 4m.
• Stems: Vigorous, upright branches with robust branchlets and stout shoots. Bark is silver-grey and lenticellate.
• Leaves: Leaves are elliptic-oblong, measuring 9 cm to 15 cm in length and 5 cm in width, and are dark green and glabrous above and silvery-gray and slightly pubescent beneath when young.
• Flowers: Unpleasantly scented, purple, pale lilac, or white flowers are borne on upright, terminal panicles to 15 cm long. Tube measures 1 cm in length; lobes short, valvate, linear-oblong, and hooded at the tips. Anthers protrude about halfway. Flowers in early summer, from May–June.
• Fruit: Fruits September to October.

Habitat

Slopes at 2000-3000m altitude.

Distribution

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Western Himalaya, Kashmir (Ladakh), Nepal.

Cultivation

Widely cultivated. Notable cultivars include:

• 'Aurea'
• 'Elegantissima'
• 'Variegata'

Etymology

Emodi is derived from the Sanskrit hima, meaning 'snow' (Sanskrit hima-alaya, identifies the Himalayas as the 'abode of snow'). Syringa is derived from the Greek word syrinx, meaning 'pipe' or 'tube'. Named for the use of its hollow stems to make flutes. In Greek mythology, the nymph Syringa was changed into a reed.^[5]

Notes and References

1. The Plant List http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-356258
2. Fiala, John L. "Lilacs: a gardener's encyclopedia", 2nd ed. copyright Timber Press 2008. rev. and updated by Freek Vrugtman. First ed. published 1988, copyright Timber Press. . pp 106-107
3. Brickell, Christopher "The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z of Garden Plants (Volume 2: K-Z)", 3rd ed. Copyright 1996, 2003, 2008 Dorling Kindersley Ltd., London. . pp 1018
4. Mabberley, D. J., "Mabberley's Plant-Book", 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2008. (hardback) pp 836
5. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 153, 369