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Japanese Tree Lilac

Researched by Yazmin Santana

Photo shows a Japanese lilac tree, which has many branches and green leaves.Species: Syringa reticulata
Common name: Japanese Tree Lilac
Family: Oleaceae
Clade: Angiosperm

Coordinates: 39.709716, -75.117047

Tree Tag: 1446 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

 

The Japanese tree lilac, or Syringa reticulata, is part of the Oleaceae or olive family and is native to Japan. A Russian botanist discovered it in the Japanese mountains in 1875, and a year later, it appeared in the United States at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Commonly planted for ornamental purposes, the Japanese tree lilac grows up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It is mildly invasive with the potential to spread.

The leaves of this species are simple with pinnate venation, meaning the leaves have a central vein with more veins branching on either side. A deciduous tree, the Japanese tree lilac drops its leaves each fall and regrows them in the spring. The leaves appear green in the summer and brown each fall before dropping. This tree thrives in sunny areas with lots of moisture but will only live about 50 years. Read More

Branches and leaves of a Japanese lilac tree.
Japanese lilac branches with yellow-green leaves
A Japanese lilac tree at Rowan University Arboretum.
An upward view of a Japanese lilac tree.
The crown of a Japanese lilac tree.
Full view of japanese lilac with no leaves
Japanese lilac flower buds
Japanese lilac leaves
The leaves of a Japanese lilac tree at Rowan University in Glassboro New Jersey.
japanese lilac leaves
Japanese lilac leaves
The trunk of a Japanese lilac tree.
The trunk of a Japanese lilac tree.
A tree trunk of a Japanese lilac.

[Show slideshow]
Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography

Yazmin Santana

Yazmin Santana earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2024.

Suggested Citation:

Santana, Yazmin. (2023, Dec). Japanese tree lilac. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/Japanese-tree-lilac/

Questions to Explore

  • How has the Japanese tree lilac been utilized?
  • Describe the medical research focusing on the Japanese tree lilac.
  • Why is the Japanese tree lilac considered an invasive species?

References

Boone County Arboretum. (n.d.). Syringa reticulata:  Japanese Tree Lilac. Boone County Arboretum. | Link 

Colorado Tree Coalition. (n.d.). Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata). Nebraska Forest Service. | Link 

Espace Pour la Vie Montreal. (n.d.). Japanese Tree Lilac:Trees and shrubs. The Green Pages. | Link 

Gilman, E.F., & Watson, D.G. (April 15,2015). Syringa reticulata: Japanese tree lilac. University of Florida Ifas Extension. | Link

Kass, J. The Japanese Tree Lilac. Halifax Tree Project (July 27, 2020). | Link  

The Nature Conservancy. (2023). Japanese Tree Lilac. Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. | Link

Su, G., Cao, Y., Li, C., Yu, X., Gao, X., Tu, P., & Chai, X. (2015) Phytochemical and pharmacological progress on the genus Syringa. Chemistry Central Journal 9, 2. | Link 

Urban Forestry Outreach & Research of University of Minnesota. (n.d). Japanese Tree Lilac:  Syringa reticulata. The Ufor Nursery & Lab. | Link 

Yuan, Y., Du, J., Geng, Z., Li, Y., Lu, X., Liu, Y., & Wang, J. (2022). Exploring the composition of Syringa reticulata subsp. amurensis seed and its underlying mechanism against chronic bronchitis. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 50, 9. | Link

 (n.d.). Syringa reticulata: Japanese Tree Lilac (Oleaceae). Plant facts | Link  

 

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