Lilac - Syringa vulgaris
Lilac - Syringa vulgaris
Edible plant - novice
Other common names: Common Lilac, French Lilac
Scientific name meaning: Syringa comes from the Greek Syringos meaning pipe or tube and is a reference to the base of the petals. Vulgaris is Latin in origin and means common or general
Use as a food The flowers are used to make jams, jellies, syrups, flavoured vinegars and cordials. They can also be used to infuse cream or milk to make dairy-based puddings.
The flowers can also be used in cake decorating and sprinkled through salads
Hazards None known at time of writing
Other uses Perfumeries use Lilac flower oil, while dyes of various colours have been extracted from different parts of the plant
Use in herbal medicine Lilac has been used to treat internal parasites and mouth sores, and to break fevers
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Importance to other species Flowers provide a food source for pollinators
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!