Idaho State Flower

Syringa (common name)
Philadelphus lewisii (scientific name)

Overview

Syringa has been on the Idaho state seal since 1890, growing at the feet of justice personified. In 1893, a syringa plant represented Idaho in Chicago at the World's Exposition, and was officially adopted as the state flower in 1931. The deciduous syringa is native to western North America, from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in northwestern California, northwards across Oregon and Washington into British Columbia, and to the east across Idaho and into Montana. It is widespread though not invasive.

Individual plants tend to grow with other species. The flowers grow on a large, rounded shrub. Stems grow straight and are initially red or reddish brown, but gradually turn gray as they mature. The rough oval leaves vary in size but are usually 3–5 cm long. Leaves are bright green and may have serrated or smooth edges. The white, fragrant flowers grow in clusters, and often in profusion, at the ends of the stems. Each flower has four small round petals and a cluster of yellow stamens. The flowers’ fragrance is usually described as similar to orange blossoms, with a fruity edge. Flowers produce a hard, 1 cm capsule with four woody valves containing many seeds, which are brown and .1 inch (2.5–3 mm) long.

Close-up

STATUS

Official

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Duration: Perennial
Plant: Oval-leaved shrub sprouting single, straight stems with a cluster of blooms at the end
Mature Height: 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m)
Flowering: May through July
Flowers: 1 inch (2-3 cm) across, with four oval petals and many stamens
Flower Color: White
Leaves: 1–2 inches (3–5 cm) long, oval on long stems
Fruit/Seed Color: Brown

HABITAT

Location: Sun to partial shade in mature wooded seed banks.
Range: Northern California, Oregon, Washington, southern British Columbia, Idaho, parts of Nevada and Montana.

TRIVIA

• Native Americans used syringa stems to make arrows, fishing equipment, snowshoes, and even furniture. Both leaves and bark contain saponins, and were combined with water to make soap.
• The explorer Meriwether Lewis was the first European to take note of the plant, in 1804.
• The plant’s common name, syringa, sometimes creates confusion with the lilac, as it is also a part of that plant's scientific name.

Click to enlarge an image

Syringa with Leaves

Close-up of Syringa Flower

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Plantae
Subkingdom:	Tracheobionta
Superdivision:	Spermatophyta
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Subclass:	Rosidae
Order:	Cornales
Family:	Hydrangeaceae
Genus:	Philadelphus
Species:	P. lewisii

Author: World Trade Press