syringa
syringa Lexical Profile
syringa Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of several deciduous ornamental shrubs of the genus Philadelphus (family Hydrangeaceae), commonly known as mock orange, native to North America, Europe, and Asia and cultivated for their cup-shaped, heavily scented white blossoms that resemble orange flowers.
"The sweet scent of blooming syringa drifted through the open porch window on warm late-spring evenings."
Any woody flowering plant or small tree of the botanical genus Syringa (family Oleaceae), commonly known as the lilac, native to woodland and scrub habitats of Europe and Asia and widely grown for its dense panicles of fragrant purple, pink, or white tubular flowers.
"In botanical classification, the familiar garden lilac belongs to the genus syringa rather than the mock orange group."
South African A fast-growing deciduous tree (Melia azedarach) of the mahogany family, native to Indomalaya and Australasia and widely naturalized in southern Africa, bearing fragrant star-shaped lilac flowers and yellowish drupes.
"The shaded avenue was lined with tall syringa trees covered in clusters of pale purple blossoms."
Word Nuance & Usage
In common gardening usage, "syringa" usually refers to the mock orange (genus Philadelphus), whereas in botanical taxonomy, Syringa is the scientific genus name for the lilac.
• Rhymes for syringa
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.