Syringa pubescens

Syringa pubescens
S. pubescens subsp. julianae syn. S. julianae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Oleaceae
Genus:	Syringa
Species:	S. pubescens
Binomial name
Syringa pubescens Turcz.

Syringa pubescens is a species of flowering plant in the lilac genus of the family Oleaceae, native to Korea and China (Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan).[1]

Growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and broad, it is a substantial deciduous shrub with green leaves felted white beneath, and panicles of heavily scented, white-throated lilac flowers in early summer.[2][3][4]

The Latin specific epithet pubescens means "downy", referring to the texture of the leaves.[5]

Three subspecies (formerly listed as separate species) are recognized :[6]

• Syringa pubescens subsp. julianae - syn. S. julianae
• Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla - syn. S. microphylla
• Syringa pubescens subsp. patula (also Syringa velutina) - syn. S. patula (Korean lilac,[7] Manchurian lilac[8])

The cultivar S. pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[9][10]

According to some authorities[11] Syringa meyeri C.K.Schneid. is a synonym of S. pubescens. The cultivar ‘Palibin’ has also won the AGM.[12] However, the nearly palmate leaf venation of plants labelled S. meyeri is noticeably distinct from the pinnate venation of other forms of S. pubescens.

References

1. Flora of China, v 15 p 283, Syringa pubescens
2. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
3. "Missouri Botanical Garden - Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla". Retrieved 5 June 2013.
4. Turczaninow, Nicolai Stepanowitsch. 1840. Bjulleten Moskovskogo Obačestva Ispytatelej Prirody, Otdel Biologičeskij 13: 73
5. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
6. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Syringa pubescens
7. English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 651. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
8. "Manchurian Lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp.patula) - Selecting Shrubs for Your Home - University of Illinois Extension".
9. "RHS Plant Selector - Syringa pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba'". Retrieved 5 March 2021.
10. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 100. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
11. "Syringa meyeri". The Plant List. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
12. "RHS Plantfinder - Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'". Retrieved 30 November 2018.