Syringa oblata subsp. dilatata explained

Syringa oblata subsp. dilatata,^{[1] [2] [3]} also known as Korean early lilac,^[4] is a subspecies of the species Syringa oblata in the genus Syringa, in the family Oleaceae.

Description

• Height/Spread: Shrub or small tree 1-3m or 5m high and wide.
• Leaves: Ovate to Ovate-orbicular, broadly heart-shaped, tapered leaves, measuring 3–10 cm or to 8 cm in length, and 2.5–8 cm wide. Base is truncate to broadly cuneate, or rarely subcordate, with a short to long acuminate apex. Leaves are bronze when young, becoming glossy mid-green, and finally purple or 'wine-coloured' in autumn.
• Flowers: Panicles are lateral, lax, and measure 5-10 or 12 cm x 8 cm. Corolla ranges in colour from lilac to red-lilac or violet-lilac, sometimes white; tube measures 1-1.7 cm (rarely to 2.2 cm) in length. Lobes are oblong-elliptic and measure 5-8 (occasionally 10) mm. Anthers are inserted in the middle of the corolla tube. Fragrant flowers are borne in mid-spring, May–June.
• Fruit: Capsule measures 7-12 (rarely 15) mm. Fruits in September.

Habitat

Gravelly mountains, 100-700m altitude.

Distribution

China

Jilin and Liaoning provinces.

Korea

Throughout.

Cultivation

Widely cultivated. Notable cultivars include:

• 'Birchwood'
• 'Cheyenne'
• 'Donaldii'
• 'Nakai'
• 'Wild Fire'

Etymology

Oblata from the modern Latin oblatus, meaning 'somewhat flattened at the ends, oval, oblate'. Dilatata means 'widened', 'spread out', or 'dilated'. 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. Web site: Syringa oblata subsp. Dilatata (Nakai) P.S.Green & M.C.Chang — the Plant List.
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 78-81
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 1019
4. Book: English Names for Korean Native Plants. Korea National Arboretum. 2015. 978-89-97450-98-5. Pocheon. 651. 24 December 2016. Korea Forest Service. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170525105020/http://www.forest.go.kr/kna/special/download/English_Names_for_Korean_Native_Plants.pdf. 25 May 2017.
5. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 141, 276, 369