Forsythia - Forzicija

They are deciduous shrubs typically growing to a height of 1–3 m (3 ft 3 in–9 ft 10 in)1–3 m and, rarely, up to 6 m (20 ft) with rough grey-brown bark. The leaves are opposite, usually simple but sometimes trifoliate with a basal pair of small leaflets, and range from 2–10 cm (1–4 in.) in length and, rarely up to 15 cm (6 in.) long; the margin is serrated or entire.

The flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves, bright yellow with a deeply four-lobed flower, the petals joined only at the base. These become pendant in rainy weather thus shielding the reproductive parts.

It is widely stated that forsythia flowers are able to produce lactose (the milk sugar). Lactose is very rarely established in other natural sources except milk. However, the presence of lactose could not be confirmed. The actual fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.

The genus is named after William Forsyth (1737–1804) a Scottish botanist who was royal head gardener and a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society.