two bud terminus

the lilac belongs to the olive family, which is distinguished by having plants with flower parts in multiples of twos. this family includes olive trees, forsythia and jasmine. these two-bud branch tips are a distinctive feature of lilacs, which i learned a few years ago, not from wiki or from my pile of field guides, but from one of YOU!  that’s right. one of you left a comment on a post that i had labeled as “unidentified spring buds.” thank you, as always, for being not just daily visitors, but partners, and teachers. much love to all of you.

lilac buds