It is thought to be a hybrid between Syringa vulgaris from southeastern Europe and Syringa protolaciniata from western China.

[1] Although often cited as being from China,[2] it more likely arose somewhere in southwestern Asia, where it was first scientifically described from cultivated plants in the 17th century, possibly Iran or Afghanistan,[3] or Pakistan, where it has been cultivated since ancient times.

The leaves are 2–4 cm long, variably entire or cut deeply into three to nine lobes or leaflets.

The flowers are pale lilac, produced in loose panicles up to 7 cm long in mid spring.

[2][4] Media related to Syringa × laciniata at Wikimedia Commons