{"id":626,"date":"2026-10-12T11:28:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=626"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:28:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T15:28:46","slug":"common-crape-myrtle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/common-crape-myrtle\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Crape Myrtle"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Lagerstroemia<\/span> indica<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Common Crape Myrtle is a small flowering tree native to Asia and widely cultivated throughout the United States for its vibrant summer flowers, colorful bark, and long season of interest. Often called<\/span> the<\/span> “lilac<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> South,”<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for<\/span> producing<\/span> showy<\/span> blooms<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> warmest<\/span> months<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> year<\/span> when<\/span> relatively<\/span> few<\/span> trees<\/span> are<\/span> flowering.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> drought<\/span> tolerance,<\/span> adaptability,<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> appeal,<\/span> Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> has<\/span> become<\/span> a<\/span> familiar<\/span> feature<\/span> of<\/span> streetscapes,<\/span> campuses,<\/span> gardens,<\/span> and<\/span> public<\/span> landscapes<\/span> throughout<\/span> much<\/span> of<\/span> North<\/span> America.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Opposite<\/span> or<\/span> sometimes<\/span> alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Small<\/span> oval<\/span> to<\/span> elliptical<\/span> leaves<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Glossy<\/span> green<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Orange,<\/span> red,<\/span> and<\/span> burgundy<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Smooth,<\/span> exfoliating<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Peels<\/span> in<\/span> patches<\/span> to<\/span> reveal<\/span> shades<\/span> of<\/span> tan,<\/span> cinnamon,<\/span> gray,<\/span> and<\/span> cream<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Attractive<\/span> year-round<\/span> feature<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Large<\/span> clusters<\/span> of<\/span> crinkled<\/span> flowers<\/span><\/li>\n
      • White,<\/span> pink,<\/span> red,<\/span> lavender,<\/span> or<\/span> purple<\/span> depending<\/span> on<\/span> cultivar<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bloom<\/span> from<\/span> mid-summer<\/span> into<\/span> early<\/span> autumn<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Produced<\/span> at<\/span> branch<\/span> tips<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Small<\/span> round<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Brown<\/span> when<\/span> mature<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Persist<\/span> through<\/span> autumn<\/span> and<\/span> winter<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Split<\/span> open<\/span> to<\/span> release<\/span> numerous<\/span> seeds<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 10<\/span> to<\/span> 25<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 10<\/span> to<\/span> 20<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Often<\/span> develops<\/span> multiple<\/span> trunks<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> is<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> China,<\/span> Korea,<\/span> and<\/span> parts<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Indian<\/span> subcontinent.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> and<\/span> introduced<\/span> widely<\/span> throughout<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> ornamental<\/span> landscape<\/span> tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Within<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum,<\/span> Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> is<\/span> classified<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> provides<\/span> seasonal<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Honeybees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The<\/span> tree<\/span> also<\/span> provides:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Seasonal<\/span> cover<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Nesting<\/span> opportunities<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Shade<\/span> and<\/span> landscape<\/span> diversity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                While<\/span> it<\/span> does<\/span> not<\/span> support<\/span> the<\/span> same<\/span> ecological<\/span> relationships<\/span> as<\/span> many<\/span> native<\/span> trees,<\/span> its<\/span> extended<\/span> flowering<\/span> period<\/span> offers<\/span> an<\/span> important<\/span> nectar<\/span> source<\/span> during<\/span> summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> is<\/span> among<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> widely<\/span> planted<\/span> ornamental<\/span> trees<\/span> in<\/span> warm<\/span> climates.<\/span><\/p>\n

                The<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Long-lasting<\/span> summer<\/span> blooms<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Attractive<\/span> exfoliating<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Drought<\/span> tolerance<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Compact<\/span> size<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Multi-season<\/span> interest<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Thousands<\/span> of<\/span> cultivated<\/span> varieties<\/span> have<\/span> been<\/span> developed<\/span> with<\/span> different<\/span> flower<\/span> colors,<\/span> growth<\/span> habits,<\/span> and<\/span> mature<\/span> sizes,<\/span> making<\/span> crape<\/span> myrtles<\/span> popular<\/span> choices<\/span> for<\/span> both<\/span> residential<\/span> and<\/span> public<\/span> landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> contributes<\/span> summer<\/span> color<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> diversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> provide<\/span> a<\/span> welcome<\/span> display<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> hottest<\/span> months<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> year,<\/span> while<\/span> its<\/span> peeling<\/span> bark<\/span> and<\/span> fall<\/span> foliage<\/span> add<\/span> interest<\/span> during<\/span> other<\/span> seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  As<\/span> a<\/span> non-native<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species,<\/span> Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span> demonstrates<\/span> how<\/span> trees<\/span> from<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> have<\/span> become<\/span> important<\/span> components<\/span> of<\/span> modern<\/span> campus<\/span> landscapes<\/span> while<\/span> complementing<\/span> the<\/span> arboretum’s<\/span> collection<\/span> of<\/span> native<\/span> and<\/span> introduced<\/span> flowering<\/span> trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                  Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Common<\/span> Crape<\/span> Myrtle<\/span>
                  \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Lagerstroemia<\/span> indica<\/span><\/em>
                  \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Lythraceae<\/span>
                  \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 10-25<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 10-20<\/span> feet<\/span>
                  \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span> to<\/span> Fast<\/span>
                  \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                  \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Well-drained<\/span> soils;<\/span> tolerant<\/span> of<\/span> heat<\/span> and<\/span> drought<\/span>
                  \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> 6-9<\/span>
                  \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> June<\/span> to<\/span> September<\/span>
                  \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Small<\/span> woody<\/span> capsules<\/span> containing<\/span> numerous<\/span> seeds<\/span>
                  \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> provides<\/span> seasonal<\/span> habitat<\/span> value<\/span>
                  \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Showy<\/span> summer<\/span> flowers,<\/span> exfoliating<\/span> bark,<\/span> drought<\/span> tolerance,<\/span> and<\/span> long<\/span> bloom<\/span> season<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Lagerstroemia indica Overview The Common Crape Myrtle is a small flowering tree native to Asia and widely cultivated throughout the United States for its vibrant summer flowers, colorful bark, and long season of interest. Often called the “lilac of the South,” it is valued for producing showy blooms during the warmest months of the year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-626","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=626"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/626\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":627,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/626\/revisions\/627"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}