365 Urban Species. #140: Lilac

[urbpan]

Photo by cottonmanifesto, April 30 2006.

Urban species #140: Lilac Syringa vulgaris

This flowering shrub from southern Europe is familiar to nearly all North Americans. It's a favorite among urban and suburban landscapers for it's bunches of fragrant light purple, or sometimes white, flowers. It's considered an invasive species in Canada, but seems to be tolerated in the United States. It is the state flower of New Hampshire.

In many northern states, lilac is associated with Mother's Day. "Lilac Sunday," in Boston's Arnold Arboretum is a major event, but in recent years the shrubs have been blooming ahead of schedule, depriving revelers of peak conditions. Flood-causing downpours marred the celebration this year.



Close-up of above lilac shrub:


A rain-sodden lilac shrub on May 16th, by urbpan:

Comments

[by-steph.livejournal.com]

I think human noses have got to be the plant's most frequent pollinator.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I like that idea! :D

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

Lilacs have to be one of my favorite flowers.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

heh heh heh heh heh!!

should've waited till the 25th for this. I'm wearing mine early.

(I'm betting no one knows what I'm on about here)

[artemii.livejournal.com]

aaaaah, my favorite

[http://users.livejournal.com/purplebunnie_/]

Yay! One of my all time favorite plants!

*does a lilac dance like a hippy*

[cavalaxis]

WOW. Just WOW. Those are amazing.

I just posted pics of my trip to a lavender farm in Ojai, CA today, if you're interested.

song

[(Anonymous)]

used to sing this as a kid (it had hand movements, too):

love grows under the lilac tree
sugar flows like candy
top of the mountain shines like gold
and kisses little fellows sorta dandy
dreams dreams dreams dreams
under the lilac tree
dreams dreams dreams dreams
some for you and me- HEY

truth be told, i still sing it, sometimes.
love your blog. a very worthy project.
serena demille

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

The black sage is especially gorgeous.

[cavalaxis]

It's amazing. The bud is actually black before it unfurls. And then it blossoms into this cobalt blue that the camera can't even begin to do justice to.

Your blog has inspired me. :)

[swingingclogs.livejournal.com]

Oh how I miss lilacs!!! I think I can catch just a whisper of their scent from that amazing close up photo.