Jorgovan

Lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is a large deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed small tree, growing to 6-7 metres high. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula and is widely cultivated for its scented flowers in Europe, particularly the north and west, and in North America. The flowers are usually lilac to mauve, occasionally white. They are arranged in dense, terminal panicles 8-18 cm long. Syringa is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering woody plants in the olive family, known colloquially as lilacs.

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Distribution and habitat

The species is native to the southern Balkan Peninsula, where it occurs in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and bordering regions, chiefly south of the Danube. It grows on rocky hills. It has been naturalized in parts of Europe, Asia and North America.

Chemistry

The main volatile compounds identified in a Syringa vulgaris flower extract are the two stereoisomers lilac alcohol C and lilac alcohol D. The lilac alcohols, which are furane alcohols, represented more than 40% of the identified compounds. Benzyl alcohol, found in high amount in the flower extract, is another important compound responsible for the aromatic smell of lilac flowers. Twenty compounds were identified in the flower extract, and the lilac alcohols and benzyl alcohol were among those found in the highest amounts. The fruit extract is rich in fatty acids, while the leaf extract contains benzoic acid derivatives and phellandrene.

Cultivation

The lilac is a very popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks because of its attractive, sweet-smelling flowers. The flowers appear in early summer, just before many of the roses and other summer flowers come into bloom. Most garden plants of S. vulgaris are cultivars, and the majority do not exceed 4-5 m tall.

Uses

The flowers of common lilac are edible and used for flavoring honeys, sugars, food and other sweets.