New Hampshire State Flower
Purple Lilac (common name) Syringa vulgaris (scientific name) Overview Though lilacs are actually a European import, they were chosen as New Hampshire’s state flower in 1919 because they're found on tough, hardy shrubs that thrive in difficult conditions, much like the residents of New Hampshire. The bushes are sometimes hardy to -35°C and can grow in many different types of soil. Lilacs bloom in spring. The flowers are tiny, but grow in long, pointed, or conical panicles 6–8 inches long, making them very noticeable. They’re also usually fragrant. Each flower has fertile stamens and a stigma. In New Hampshire, lilacs usually bloom the last two weeks of May, but different varieties sometimes bloom a little earlier or later. The plants are very long-lived, and it’s not uncommon to find lilac bushes that are 100 years old. Occasionally a lilac bush might have a very thick trunk, but most are made up of upright stems growing up out of the ground. New Hampshire specifies purple lilacs as the state flower, but white and pink-flowered varieties also exist, as well more exotic colors such as yellow and burgundy. Leaves are usually a matte medium-green and pointed. Seeds grow in smooth, brown capsules, which produce two seeds each. Syringa vulgaris can grow from seed and are normally big enough to bloom three to five years after planting. Most gardeners prefer to cut their plants back immediately after they bloom so that they bloom well the next year. Close-up STATUS Official PHYSICAL DETAILS Duration: Perennial Plant: Shrub or small tree Mature Height: 6.5–33 ft (2–10 m) tall Flowering: May through June Flowers: .2–.4 in (.5–1 cm) wide, .2–.8 in (.5–2 cm) long with a four-lobed corolla and narrow corolla tube Flower Color: Medium to very light purple Leaves: 2–5 in (5–12.7 cm) long medium green pointed ovals Fruit/Seed Color: Brown HABITAT Location: Prefers sun, cool weather, and moderate moisture Range: Northeastern to central U.S. and Canada, plus South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Oregon TRIVIA Lilacs were introduced to the U.S. in 1750, and later planted at the New Hampshire state governor’s home in Portsmouth.
	Click to enlarge an image Purple Lilac Purple Lilac Buds Ready to Bloom Close-up of Purple Lilac Flower CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Superdivision: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Asteridae Order: Scrophulariales Family: Oleaceae Genus: Syringa Species: S. vulgaris
	Author: World Trade Press