Crepe-myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1076 (1759))

Family: Lythraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1076 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lagerstroemia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. Himalaya to S. China and Indo-China

Description

The Crepe-myrtle, scientifically known as Lagerstroemia indica, is a remarkable and visually appealing plant that belongs to the Lythraceae family. Originally described by Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1759, this species has captivated plant enthusiasts and gardeners for centuries.

Lagerstroemia indica is native to a vast region extending from the Central Himalayas through Southern China and into Indo-China. This diverse geographical range contributes to the plant’s adaptability and varied characteristics, making it a resilient and popular choice in many landscapes around the world.

The Crepe-myrtle is celebrated not only for its hardiness but also for its striking appearance. It is often characterized by its smooth, mottled bark, which peels away to reveal a unique, multicolored trunk. This feature alone adds significant visual interest throughout the year.

One of the most enchanting aspects of the Crepe-myrtle is its stunning floral display. The plant produces abundant clusters of crinkly, tissue-paper-like flowers in a vibrant array of colors, including shades of pink, red, white, and purple. These blossoms typically appear in the summer and can last well into the early autumn, providing long-lasting ornamental beauty.

Aside from its aesthetic appeal, Lagerstroemia indica is also appreciated for its adaptability to various soil types and its tolerance of urban environments. This makes it an ideal plant for city landscapes, parks, and private gardens. The Crepe-myrtle can thrive in full sun, where it achieves the best flower production, and is relatively drought-tolerant once established.

In addition to its ornamental uses, the Crepe-myrtle has some practical applications. For instance, its harder varieties are occasionally used in crafting furniture and other wooden items due to their durability.

Overall, the Crepe-myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a cherished plant that combines resilience, versatility, and an extraordinary visual appeal. Whether showcased for its stunning floral displays or its striking bark, this plant continues to be a gardener’s delight and a focal point in diverse landscaping projects.

Common Names

Eng: crapemyrtle, crape-myrtle, crepe-myrtle, crepeflower, crape myrtle, queen of shrubs
Deu: chinesische kräuselmyrte
Por: extremosa, resedá
Swe: lagerströmia
En: Crepe-myrtle, Crepeflower, Crape-myrtle, Crapemyrtle, Crepe Flower, Crape myrtle, Pride of India, Queen of shrubs, Zi wei, Indian crape myrtle
Af: Trots-van-Indië
Ar: تمر حنا افرنجي
Az: Hind yasəməni
Eu: Indimitre
Bn: দেশি ফুরুস
Ca: Arbre de Júpiter, Laguertrèmia
Zh: Zi wei, 紫薇
Cs: Pukol okrouhlolistý
Da: Indisk lagerstroemia
Nl: Lagerstroemia
Fi: Kiinankutrio
Fr: Lilas des Indes
Gl: Árbore de Xúpiter
Ka: Ირმის რქა
De: Chinesische Kräuselmyrte, Chinesische Kräuselmyrtle, Chinesische Lagerströmie, Kreppmyrte
El: Λαγερστροιμία η ινδική
He: לגרסטרמיה הודית
Hu: Kínai selyemvirágfa
It: Lagerstremia, Albero di San Bartolomeo
Ko: 배롱나무
Ne: असारे फूल
Fa: درختچه توری
Pl: Lagerstremia indyjska
Pt: Escumilha, Extremosa, Resedá
Pt-br: Escumilha
Ru: Лагерстрёмия индийская
Sr: Лагерстремија
Es: Lagerstroemia indica, Alstroemeria, Astronomía, Gastronomía, Júpiters, Árbol de Júpiter, Espumilla
Sv: Lagerströmia, Lagerströmiia
Zh-tw: 小花紫薇
Th: ยี่เข่ง
To: Kilisimasi
Zh-hant: 紫薇
Tr: Oya ağacı, İspanyol leylağı
Vi: Tử vi (hoa)

Synonyms

• Lagerstroemia indica var. grafii (S.Yadav)
• Lagerstroemia indica f. alba ((G.Nicholson) Rehder)
• Lagerstroemia elegans (Wall. ex Paxton)
• Lagerstroemia pulchra (Salisb.)
• Velaga globosa (Gaertn.)
• Lagerstroemia chinensis (L.)
• Lagerstroemia indica var. alba (Hovey)
• Murtughas indica ((L.) Kuntze)
• Lagerstroemia minor (Retz.)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by claude Nevejans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2019 by Kelami Ata (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2016 by Hugo Monreal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 6, 2017 by Jorge Cavalcante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Suárez José (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2017 by Flávio Ribeiro (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2017 by Flávio Ribeiro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 7, 2019 by Yann Fichet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2020 by Valérie Le Bihan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2016 by Carole Guichard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 27, 2021 by C T (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by shiksa survivor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by j k (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Pierre Treussart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by robin niel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2017 by abouffier (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yannick HILLERET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by StealthIntel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2018 by Beverly Patrick (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 18, 2019 by Benedikt Gremmelspacher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2019 by ALCÁNTARA FERNÁNDEZ MANUEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2021 by avestrucilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by Barbara Barbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by robin niel (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3188725)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:553576-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lagerstroemia indica L.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Multiple Stem

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.0