《燕园草木》配图，紫丁香
    落叶灌木，原产于我国。枝条粗壮无毛。单叶对生，广卵形，基部心形或圆形，全缘，两面无毛。花期4月，圆锥花序侧生；花两性，极芳香，花冠紫色，高脚杯状，先端4裂，开展；雄蕊2。果期7-8月，蒴果，长圆形，2裂。著名观赏植物，校园多有栽培。还有花为白色的变型白丁香，校园也有栽培。  
    Deciduous shrub, native to central, North, and Northeast China, and Korea. This species is one of the most famous ornamental plants, and widely cultivated in China for its showy and fragrant flowers. It is also used as traditional Chinese medicine. It is commonly cultivated on campus along roadsides. Plants with white flowers have been recognized as S. oblata f. alba, which is also planted on campus.   
    城外校园里丁香更多。最好的是图书馆北面的丁香三角地，种有十数棵白丁香和紫丁香。月光下白的潇洒，紫的朦胧。还有淡淡的幽雅的甜香，非桂非兰，在夜色中也能让人分辨出，这是丁香。在我住了断续近三十年的斗室外，有三棵白丁香。每到春来，伏案时抬头便见檐前积雪。雪色映进窗来，香气直透毫端。