OLITE FAMILY. 



265 



1. SYRIN'GA, L. Lilac. 



[From the Latin, Synnx, a pips ; from the straight branches filled with pith.] 



Calyx 4-toothed, persistent. Corolla salver-shaped, with a tube much 

 longer than the calyx ; limb 4-parted. Stamens 2. Capsule ovate-lanceo- 

 late, compressed, 2-celled, 4-seeded. Seeds narrowly winged ; albumen 

 fleshy. Shrubs with the terminal buds in pairs, opposite, entire, petioled 

 leaves, and lilac or v^hite Jioivers in thick panicles. 



1. S. vulga'kis, L. Leaves cordate, smooth ; limb of the corolla some- 

 what concave. 



Common Syringa. Lilac. . 



Cultivated. Xative of Persia, Hungary, &:c. Maj'-June. 



Obs. This, one of the commonest ornamental shrubs, is frequently seen 

 in old gardens, forming dense clumps 10-20 feet high. It throws up 

 suckers abundantly from the root, and by this means is easily propa- 

 gated. There are several well-marked varieties, differing in the compact- 

 ness of the flower clusters and the color of the flowers, which vary from 

 deep purple to white. * 



2. S. Per'sica, L. Leaves lanceolate, acute, frequently divided or pin- 

 natifid ; limb of corolla flattish. 



Persian Syringa. Persian Lilac. 



Cultivated. Native of Persia. 



Obs. A much more delicate species than the common Lilac, growing 

 to the height of 6 - 8 feet. There are two forms, one with entire leaves 

 (var. integrifolia), and the other (var. laciniata) with the leaves, even 

 on the same branch, presenting all the forms between perfectly entire 

 and pinnately divided ; a most interesting illustration of the true nature 

 of pinnatifid leaves. The flower-clusters in both varieties are more 

 slender than those of the preceding species. * 



2. LIGUS'TRUM, Tournef. Privet. 

 [Tlie I^tin classical name.] 



Calyx with a short tube, 4-toothed, deciduous. Corolla funnel-form, the 

 limb 4-parted ; lobes ovate, obtuse. Stamens 2, inserted on the tube of 

 the corolla, included. Style very short ; stigma bifid, obtuse. Berry 

 globose, 2-celled ; cells 2- (or by abortion 1-) seeded. Shrubs. Leaves 

 opposite, simple, entire. Flowers in terminal thyrsoid panicles. 

 1. L. vulga're, L. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, mucronu- 

 late, glabrous ; panicle compound, contracted. 

 Common Ligustrum. Privet. Prim, 



Fr. Le Troene. Germ. Die Gemeine Rheinweide. S'pan. Alheiia. 



^Stem 6-8 or 10 feet high, much branched ; branches opposite. Leaves 1-3 inches long, 

 varj'ing from lanceolate and acute, to elliptic or oblanceolate and obtuse, on short petioles. 

 Ojriillo. white. Berries black (rarely greenish-white) when mature. 

 Way-sides, fence-rows, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. October. 



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