Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Realities of Plants

Lilac Flower

Dingxianghua; Syringa
The name "Dingxiang" literally means "nail fragrance," referring to the flower buds' resemblance to small Chinese nails and their potent scent.

The Shantang Sikao An expansive Ming dynasty encyclopedia compiled by Peng Dayi. states that the people of Jiangnan The region "South of the Yangtze River," famous for its gardens. refer to the Lilac as the "Hundred-Knot Flower" original: Baijiehua. This name refers to the way the flower clusters look like many small knots tied together.. The Manual of Flowering Plants original: Caohua Pu. describes the Purple Lilac as having flowers resembling tiny cloves, but with soft, purple petals that grow from clusters of buds.

Author's Observation: According to my own findings, Lilacs are extremely abundant in the Northern regions. The trees can reach a height of over ten feet. The leaves resemble those of the Jasmine plant but are a much deeper shade of green. In the second month of the lunar calendar, the tree produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers in two varieties: purple and white. These blossoms grow in dense, crowded clusters of a hundred or more. The white variety is known for a particularly clear and refined fragrance. After the flowers have fallen, the plant is able to bear fruit that looks similar to the Lianqiao Forsythia.