Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.

Half hardy, spreading, freely branching, evergreen tree with peeling, light brown bark, elliptic leaves, to 20cm long, and open panicles, to 40cm long, of pink, mauve, purple or white flowers, to 5cm wide, from spring to autumn.  To 24m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1792.  [JD].  ‘(The flowers are a) beautiful rose-colour in the morning, growing deeper through the day, until they become purple in the evening.’  [Don]. 

‘The timber of the Lagerstroemia regia, is remarkably solid and fit for building.  It is chiefly used for the construction of skiffs and is sold at a high price.  On the east coast of Sumatra, in the vicinity of Palembang, immense forests of this tree are found in many places.  It is said that the seeds possess a narcotic principle.’  [van Nooten].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.621/1843].

Notes

Published Mar 05, 2010 - 03:00 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 03:06 PM

Figured are oblong leaves and a panicle of mauve flowers with prominent central stamens.  van Nooten, 1880.

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. | van Nooten | BHL

Family Lythraceae
Category
Region of origin

Tropical Asia

Synonyms
  • Lagerstroemia reginae Roxb.
  • Lagerstroemia flos-reginae Retz. 
Common Name

Giant crepe myrtle, Pride of India, Queen?s crepe myrtle

Name in the Camden Park Record

Lagerstroemia reginae 

Confidence level high