Knowledgebase

Common Lilacs? #931949

Asked May 17, 2026, 8:57 AM EDT

Hello i’m curios in trying some culinary experiments with the lilacs in my front yard, I’d love to identify that these are an edible variety and not a toxic look-a-like!

Strafford County New Hampshire

Expert Response

Good morning Nora,

Thank you for reaching out to the University of New Hampshire Extension Infoline regarding your lilac question.

From your picture, this appears to be the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris, (reference also UNH Extension article, Purple Wonders) which is considered non-toxic to people and pets.

The Chinaberry Tree (Melia azedarach), also sometimes referred to as a Persian Lilac, is considered to be toxic, but it looks very different from the common lilac (reference:https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=328)

We did find a reference to edible flowers that may be of interest to you which includes lilacs: https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/edible-flowers

Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension. Replied May 19, 2026, 10:11 AM EDT

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