Common Name: Crepe Myrtle

General Information

Lagerstroemia indica is a deciduous shrub or small tree with an upright, vase-shaped crown; it can grow from 3 - 8 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is used in soil stabilization projects and is a very ornamental plant, valued especially for its floral display and neat habit, being commonly grown in gardens, as a street tree etc from the warm temperate zone to the tropics - there are many named varieties[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China, Korea.

Habitat

Open grassy places and on cliffs at low altitudes[], also on forest edges[]. Semi-shaded places and fertile fields[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lagerstroemia indica is a plant of the warm temperate zone, but is widely cultivated from the temperate zone to the tropics. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c if the wood is well ripened[]. The plant requires very hot and humid summers to do well[, ].
Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny sheltered position, though appreciates some shade when growing in areas with very hot summers[, ]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in soils low in nutrients[]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Lagerstroemia indica is a widely grown ornamental shrub or small tree that has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized on waste ground, disturbed sites, open grasslands, and along roadsides in a great variety of climates in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It has a very aggressive and dense root system that can outcompete native species. It is listed as invasive in South Africa, Belize, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands[].
A very ornamental plant, widely cultivated. There are many named cultivars, ranging in size from 1 - 8 metres[, ].
Young plants grow fairly quickly and will often flower in their first year after planting out[].
Flowers are produced in broad panicles on the tips of the current years growth[]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring in order to encourage new growth[].
Plants do not transplant well and should be moved with a large rootball[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The stem bark is febrifuge, stimulant and styptic[, ].

The bark, flowers and leaves are considered to be hydrogogue and a drastic purgative[]. A paste of the flowers is applied externally to cuts and wounds[].

The root is astringent, detoxicant and diuretic[, ].

A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of colds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Lagerstroemia indica can succeed on poor soils, and has a dense and wide spreading root system which makes it useful for planting in erosion control projects[].
When growing in areas polluted by heavy metals the plant has been shown to concentrate several of these metals in its tissues. It has a high potential for use in phytoremediation projects, either as a means of removing these metals or as a means of locking them up and helping to restore the fertility of the soil[].

Other Uses

The white to light brown wood is hard. A useful timber of excellent quality[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel. Fair to good percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood[].
Root cuttings 4cm long. High percentage[].

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