Lagerstroemia indica L. – Family Lythraceae

General Characteristics

A small tree, up to 6 meters tall, with smooth, pinkish-gray bark and a conical, globular crown. 

The branches are twisted and knobby. 

The leaves are deciduous, opposite, up to 5 cm long, oval in shape, acuminate, and turn a deep red in autumn. 

The flowers have a corolla with 6 wavy-petaled edges; the color can range from pink to purple to white, depending on the variety; they are grouped in terminal panicles. 

The fruits are small capsules.

USES

The species is used as an ornamental in parks and gardens. 

It is very resistant to smog and cold.

CURIOSITIES

It was introduced to Italy in 1759 from China and is highly valued for its late flowering. The genus is named after M. Lagerstroem (1696-1759), a friend of Carl Linnaeus.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A species native to China, Japan, Indochina, Korea, the Moluccas, and Northern Australia.