Small-leaf lilac, Little-leaf lilac
Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla

Family: Oleaceae

What it is like

A shrub 1-4 m high. The branches are 4 angled. The leaf stalk is 0.5-2 cm long. The leaf blade is oval and 1.5-8 cm long by 1-6 cm wide. It is hairy underneath. The flower panicles are erect. They are mostly on the side of the branches and only rarely at the ends. They are 5-16 cm long by 2.5-7 cm wide. The flower stalk is 4 angled. The flowers are purplish red, or pink or white. The fruit is a capsule which is long and oval. It is 0.7-2 cm long. Some varieties have been described.

There are about 20-23 Syringa species.

Where it is found

It grows on grassy slopes along rivers between 300-3400 m altitude in N China. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Korea

How it is used for food

Flowers used for tea.

Edible parts

Flowers - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Sung-lo-cha, Xiao ye qiao ling hua

Synonyms

Syringa microphylla Diels; Syringa giraldiana C.K.Schneider; Syringa microphylla var. giraldiana (C.K.Schneider) S.Z.Qu & X.L.Chen; Syringa pubescens var. tibetica Batalin; Syringa schneideri LIngelsheim; Syringa trichophylla T.Tang;