Syringa vulgaris L. (SE-Eur.) – A very commonly planted ornamental shrub (although perhaps slightly less so in recent times), in private as well as public gardens, parks, etc. Most ‘wild’ records are merely relics of cultivation. The naturalization history of Syringa vulgaris is poorly documented in Belgium. It was already claimed as growing subspontaneously in coastal dunes in 1854 (Verloove 2006a). At present it is by far most widespread in coastal dunes, especially but not exclusively in its western portion (see Verloove 2006b). In addition, it is also regularly recorded on sun-exposed rocky slopes in Wallonia (in the 19th century, for instance, already observed near Modave and Tilleur) and at present rather widely naturalized in its hottest parts (especially Lorraine; see Parent 1998) .
Syringa vulgaris obviously prefers sunny, dry, often calcareous soils. It surely selfseeds but reproduction is chiefly non-sexual. Despite its presence in more or less natural habitats, it is not considered an invasive species.
Some species of Syringa currently found in cultivation are much reminiscent of S. vulgaris. For instance, S. ×chinensis Willd., a complex hybrid involving S. vulgaris, is also frequently cultivated. It differs from the latter in having non-fragrant corollas (Roloff & Bärtels 2006).
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Selected literature:
Adolphi K. (1995) Neophytische Kultur- und Anbaupflanzen als Kulturflüchtlinge des Rheinlandes. Nardus 2: 272 p.
Hoffman M.H.A. (2000) Syringa vulgaris – sortimentsonderzoek. Dendroflora 37: 60-96.
Jurkovic M. (1983) New varieties of lilac ( Syringa vulgaris L.). Lilac Newsl. 9(6): 10-12.
Parent G.H. (1998) Notes chorologiques et écologiques (1992-1996) sur la flore de la Wallonie et des territoires adjacents. Adoxa 18: 11-24.
Pringle J.S. (1996) Notes on Syringa vulgaris and S. x hyacinthiflora. Lilacs 25(2): 56-60.
Roloff A. & Bärtels A. (2006) Flora der Gehölze (2e Auflage). Ulmer, Stuttgart: 844 p.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.
Verloove F. (2006a) Catalogue of neophytes in Belgium (1800-2005). Scripta Botanica Belgica 39: 89 p. [available online at: http://alienplantsbelgium.be/sites/alienplantsbelgium.be/files/tabel_2.pdf]
Verloove F. (2006b) Syringa vulgaris. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 866.