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Japanese tree lilac Oleaceae Syringa reticulata (Blume) H. Hara Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: SYRE2
Leaf: Opposite, simple, elliptical to broadly ovate, entire, 2 to 4 inches long, dull, dark green above, lighter below with occasional slight pubescence.
Flower: Very showy, white, clustered in 4 to 12 inch terminal panicles (almost equal width), appearing in late spring or early summer.
Fruit: Brown capsule 1/2 to 1 long, curved, dehiscent, borne in loose clusters.
Twig: Stout, shiny brown, clearly defined horizontal lenticels, glabrous; buds are large, ovate, orange-brown scales.
Bark: Cherry-like, reddish brown to brown on young and old stems, horizontal lenticels remain prominent.
Form: An upright, small tree to 30 feet in height, rounded to oval crown.
 Looks like: late lilac - common lilac

Japanese tree lilac leaf image
Japanese tree lilac flower image
Japanese tree lilac fruit image
Japanese tree lilac twig image
Japanese tree lilac bark image
Japanese tree lilac form image
Japanese tree lilac map image

Additional Range Information: Syringa reticulata is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and is not known to widely escape cultivaton. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information