Lilacs by Jordynne Waupekenay Lilacs or SomenWaqsahkonawaet are

Lilacs by Jordynne Waupekenay

Lilacs or Somen-Waqsahkonawaet are a flowering plant that belong to the olive family, known as Oleaceae.

They are native to Southeastern Europe and Eastern Asia, in the woodlands and scrub.

Lilacs were first brought to North America in the 1750 s by European colonists.

Lilacs only flower in the spring time for approximately three weeks.

There are over a thousand varieties of Lilac trees and bushes.

Some of these varieties can even survive in temperatures as low as 60 degrees below zero!

Lilacs are usually a shade of purple, often a light purple. Though lilacs can also be a light blue, white, pale yellow, pink, and even burgundy.

Do you like the smell of lilacs? Purple lilacs are the most fragrant.

Not only are lilacs loved by people, hummingbirds and butterflies adore them as well.

Lilacs L- Lovely, lilac flowers I- Inhale their sweet scent and smile L- Lavender, blue, yellow, white, burgundy, or pink A- Adored by many C- Can’t wait until they flower again S- Spring can’t come fast enough!

Glossary According to Merriam Webster Dictionary: • Oleaceae (O·lee·ay·see·ay)- Oleaceae are trees and shrubs having berries or drupes or capsules as fruits; sometimes placed in the order Oleales: olive; ash; jasmine; privet; lilac. • Scrub- vegetation consisting mainly of brushwood or stunted forest growth. • Colonist- one that colonizes or settles in a new country. • Fragrant- having a sweet or pleasant smell. • Somen-Waqsahkonawaet- (Menominee) translates to “purple flower. ”

References/Teacher Information For more interesting facts about Lilacs, see: • https: //www. housebeautiful. com/lifestyle/gardening/a 3756/lilac-facts/ • http: //justfunfacts. com/interesting-facts-about-lilacs/

Jordynne Waupekenay is currently a student at the College of the Menominee Nation, studying to obtain her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early/Middle Childhood Education. She has a lilac bush that blooms in her front yard during the spring. Not only does the bush decorate her yard with beautiful purple flowers, but it also emanates a pleasant smell that reminds her of warm, sunny days.