Shrub 1-2 m tall, with spreading, lenticellate branches. Leaves mostly entire, sometimes more or less divided but not pinnate, 2-4 cm long, 0.8-2 cm broad, ovate-lanceolate to oval, petiolate. Inflorescence lax, usually confined to the uppermost portion of a branchlet as the panicles arise from sub-terminal (terminal) and higher lateral buds only. Flowers as in Syringa laciniata. Pollen sterile.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Type: “Habitat in Persia”.

Distribution: Cultivated, possibly originated along the Great Silk Route when Syringa laciniata met with endemic Syringa afghanica. Now in gardens all over the world.

Studies on garden specimens of Syringa persica (K. Sax, Journ. Arn. Arb. 9: 7. 1930) revealed that this species has to be treated as a hybrid, due to its sterility. Thus Syringa laciniata which was long regarded as a variety of Syringa persica should be in the rank of a species. It is obvious then that Syringa persica is a hybrid between Syringa laciniata and another species, most probably Syringa afghanica.

In Pakistan, however, it seems that Syringa laciniata is more widely cultivated than F. x persica, although herbarium specimens do not always show a clear distinction.