Lagerstroemia indica L

Crape Myrtle

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Crape Myrtle is an introduced large deciduous shrub or small tree in the Loosestrife family (Lythraceae). It is native to Asia from China and Korea south to India. Crape Myrtle is widely cultivated in the South and often persists or escapes. It can be found around old home sites, on roadsides, along fence rows, and in disturbed woods. It is a multi-trunked shrub or small tree reaching heights of 30-40 feet. The roots are shallow and produce new plants when damaged. The exfoliating bark is smooth and light grey in color. It peels in long papery sheets. The deciduous leaves are opposite or sub-opposite in arrangement. Leaves are short petiolate, glabrous, elliptic to obovate in outline, with entire margins. The leaves turn various shades of yellow, orange, or red before falling in the autumn. Flowers are produced in terminal and axillary paniculate cymes. The individual flowers have a leathery, glabrous floral tube. There are 6 clawed petals that have a crinkled margin and range in color from white through pink, lavender, purple, or red. The fruit is a capsule with many small winged seed. Crape Myrtle is a popular ornamental, flowering during the heat of summer when few other shrubs are blooming. It is drought tolerant and resistant to most pests. Powdery mildew can severely affect Crape-Myrtle in the south. Hybrids with the Japanese Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei Koehne) produced by The National Arboretum are said to be more resistant. Crape Myrtle is commonly available from nurseries. It comes in a wide variety of colors and growth forms.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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