About
Lagerstroemia indica, commonly called Crepe-Myrtle, is found in mostly the southeastern states in the US. I have seen it in Ohio, however it doesn’t tolerate the colder winters well. I saw this species in Tennessee, where it is a very popular landscape tree. Most of the time it grows like a shrub, although I did see a few around 20 feet tall. It is common to see its flowers in white, pink, and red colors. The blooms are multiple individual flowers on a bunch with delicate, fringed petals and a yellow center. The fruit also grows in bunches. The leaves are opposite each other on a long branch, with the flower at the tips of the branches. Sometimes the weight of the flower makes the branch hang downward in an arch. The bark is a mottled, thin, shedding bark, much like the Sycamore trees we see in the north.
Bloom Window
Being a southern warmer climate tree, it can bloom all year long. The strongest window is during the summer months especially in late July.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae (Lythrum)
- Genus: Lagerstroemia (Crepe-Myrtles)
- Species: Lagerstroemia indica (Crepe-Myrtle)
Where to Find It
- Popular landscape tree across Southeastern North America.
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