7/30/2019 Lagerstroemia.docx

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Lagerstroemia (pron.:/lerstrimi/),[1]

commonly known as crape myrtle orcrepe myrtle, is agenusof

around 50 species ofdeciduousandevergreentrees andshrubsnative to theIndian Subcontinent, southeast

Asia, northern Australia and parts of Oceania, cultivated in warmer climates around the world. It is a member of

theLythraceae, which is also known as theloosestrifefamily. The genus is named after the Swedish merchant

Magnus von Lagerstrm, who suppliedCarolus Linnaeuswith plants he collected. It should not be confused

with Malpighia glabra, wild crepemyrtle, also known asAcerola.[2]These flowering trees are beautifully colored

and are often planted both privately and commercially. Popular varieties used in modern landscaping include

the bright redDynamite Crape Myrtle, the deep pinkPink Velour Crapeand the purpleTwilight Crape Myrtle,

which also has a bark that changes colors. These trees come in many different hues, as outlined on theCrape

Myrtle Comparison Chart.

Contents

[hide]

1 Description

2 Selected species

3 References

4 Notes

5 External links

[edit]Description

While various species and cultivars are able to fill a wide variety of landscape needs, crape myrtles are chiefly

known for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. Most species ofLagerstroemia have sinewy, fluted stems and

branches with a mottled appearance that arises from havingbarkthat sheds throughout the year. The leaves

are opposite, simple, with entire margins, and vary from 520 cm (28 in). While all species are woody in

nature, they can range in height from over 100 feet to under one foot; most, however are small to medium

multiple-trunked trees and shrubs. The leaves of temperate species provide autumn color.

Flowers are borne in summer and autumn inpaniclesof crinkled flowers with a crepe-like texture. Colors vary

from deep purple to red to white, with almost every shade in between. Although no blue-flowered varieties

exist, it is toward the blue end of the spectrum that the flowers trend, with no sight of orange or yellow except in

stamens and pistils. The fruit is a capsule, green and succulent at first, then ripening to dark brown or black

dryness. It splits along six or seven lines, producing teeth much like those of the calyx, and releases numerous,

small, winged seeds.

In their respective climates, both subtropical and tropical species are common in domestic and commerciallandscapes. Thetimberof some species has been used to manufacture bridges, furniture and railway

sleepers.[3]

Lagerstroemiaspecies are used as food plants by thelarvaeof someLepidopteraspecies

includingEndoclitamalabaricus.

The leaves ofL. parviflora are fed on by theAntheraea paphiamoth which produces the tassar silk (tussah), a

form ofwild silkof commercial importance in India.[4]

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tahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidopterahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larvahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paniclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lagerstroemia&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#Noteshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#Selected_specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#Descriptionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemiahttp://www.fast-growing-trees.com/CrapeMyrtles.htm#CrapeCharthttp://www.fast-growing-trees.com/CrapeMyrtles.htm#CrapeCharthttp://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Twilight-Crape-Myrtle.htmhttp://www.fast-growing-trees.com/PinkVelour.htmhttp://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Dynamite.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acerolahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Linnaeushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loosestrifehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lythraceaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Subcontinenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrubhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deciduoushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English