The syringa, or mock orange, is the official state flower of Idaho — a fragrant native shrub with clusters of white blooms.

• Official flower: Syringa
• Scientific name: Philadelphus lewisii
• Year adopted: 1931
• Native range: the western U.S.

About the syringa

Idaho adopted the syringa in 1931. Its four-petaled white flowers give off a sweet, orange-blossom-like scent, which is why it is commonly called mock orange. The plant was collected during the Lewis and Clark expedition, and its scientific name honors Meriwether Lewis.

Where it grows

The syringa is native to the western United States and grows on hillsides and along streams across Idaho, blooming in late spring and early summer.

Idaho state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of Idaho?

Idaho’s state flower is the syringa (Philadelphus lewisii), which it adopted in 1931.

When did Idaho adopt its state flower?

Idaho designated the syringa as its official state flower in 1931.

Is Idaho’s syringa the same as lilac?

No. Despite sharing the name, Idaho’s syringa is the mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii), not a true lilac, which belongs to the genus Syringa.

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