Syringa L.
Deciduous shrubs or small trees. Shoots terete. Terminal bud present or 0. Lvs opposite, usually simple, rarely pinnate or lobed, generally entire. Infl. of many small, often fragrant, ⚥ fls in lateral or terminal panicles. Calyx 4-lobed, small, persistent, campanulate. Corolla salverform; tube cylindric; lobes 4, valvate, spreading. Stamens 2, included or exserted, epipetalous. Stigma 2-lobed, not exceeding stamens. Fr. a leathery capsule, loculicidal, coriaceous; seeds 2 per cell, winged.
c. 30 spp., mostly E. Asia, but extending W. to S.E. Europe. Naturalised sp. 1.
