Object Details
Description
This ornamental flowering tree is a very common street tree in the south, planted in what seems to be every spare patch of land. While prodigious, crepe myrtles do add what feels like an ever-blooming pop of color to the landscape through humid summers.
Hardiness
0 - 30 F
Bloom Time
July to September
Provenance
Uncertain
Accession Number
2011-0558A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Deciduous tree
Average Height
6-30'
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, pale, pinkish-gray bark exfoliates with age.
Bloom Characteristics
Terminal inflorescences of showy flowers with crimped petals bloom on upright branches.
Fall Color
Yellow, orange, red
Foliage Characteristics
Alternate, simple, thick and leathery oblong leaves emerge light green with slight red and mature to dark green. 3" long.
Fruit Characteristics
Round seed capsules which persist into winter.
Key ID Characteristics
Long bloom period, exfoliating bark, excellent fall color.
Structure
Vase
Range
Eastern Asia, Indo-China
Habitat
Medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
On Display
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Common Name
crape myrtle
crepe myrtle
crepe flower
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Rosanae
Order
Myrtales
Family
Lythraceae
Genus
Lagerstroemia
Species
indica
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-0558A