Virginia Tech Dendrology

Japanese tree lilac Oleaceae Syringa reticulata (Blume) H. Hara 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

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