Lagerstroemia indica L.
Frost hardy, upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with peeling, grey and brown bark, oblong leaves, to 8cm long, and panicles, to 20cm long, of white, pink, red or purple flowers from summer to autumn. To 8m. [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘In its native country it grows to the height of six feet, or more, acquires a stem the thickness of one’s arm, and produces flowers the size of the garden Clove [clove pink], which are very shewy, no wonder therefore that the natives should be in the practice of planting it about their houses and their gardens. […] According to Mr. Aiton, it was introduced to the Royal Garden at Kew, by Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, in 1759.’ [BM t.405/1798].
Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet figures the variety rosea: ‘We received it from our very kind friend Mr. Reeves, in 1825, with some other varieties of this elegant plant. […] It is deciduous, and by no means tender; it will even live out of doors against a wall, but is then usually killed to the ground, springing up every year afresh from the root.’ [LBC no.1765/1833]. FC p.38/1849.
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.620/1843]. There are many trees in the gardens today. Two plants of Lagerstroemia indica wee sent to the Sydney Botanic Garden on September 27th 1847 [RBGS AB].
Notes
Published Mar 11, 2009 - 04:59 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 02:46 PM
Lagerstroemia indica L. | BM t.405/1798 | BHL
| Family | Lythraceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | China |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Crepe flower, Crepe myrtle |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Lagerstroemia Indica |
| Confidence level | high |