Lilac Appreciation

The botanical name Syringa derives from the Greek word “syrinks,” meaning “pipe.” Legend has it that the Greek satyr Pan was smitten by a beautiful country girl. His lascivious pursuit so frightened her that, to escape his attentions, she asked the woodland goddess Artemis to turn her into a fragrant flowering bush. That’s when Pan cut several of her branches to make the first reed or pan pipe. No floral aroma has more widespread appeal than lilac. While a debatable assertion, it seems to be the prevailing opinion.