Crepe Myrtle: A Worldwide Ornamental Beauty
With vibrant blooms of pink, purple, white, and red, Crepe Myrtles are favored in warm climates throughout the world.
BRIT Collections
Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Plant specimen (2020-06-05) by TmasjegBRIT Collections
Crepe Myrtles, sometimes spelled "Crape Myrtle" or "Crapemyrtle," are a beloved and striking ornamental tree that grows in a variety of sizes and colors. The flowers are the most distinctive feature, with their crepe-paper-like texture giving the plant its common name.
The trees have become an iconic symbol of summer throughout much of the world, their colorful and long-lasting blooms on display mid-summer through fall.
Plant specimen (2006-08-05) by David J. StangBRIT Collections
The flowers are the most distinctive feature of crepe myrtles, with their crepe-paper-like texture giving the plant its common name.
Plant specimen (2010-09-10) by HoverflyzBRIT Collections
The flowers are typically clustered in large, showy panicles at the tips of branches and bloom in a wide array of colors, including pink, white, purple, lavender, and red.
Plant specimen (2012-08-07) by Toshihiro GamoBRIT Collections
Crepe myrtles bloom in large clusters, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Plant specimen (2006-08-06) by David J. StangBRIT Collections
Renowned for their vibrant flowers, these plants have become widely cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions across the world, especially in gardens and urban landscapes.
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This Streetview shows Crepe Myrtles in bloom in Markinez, Spain.
Plant specimen (2023-09-29) by MentxuwikiBRIT Collections
Crepe Myrtles are a member of genus Lagerstroemia, which has around 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that grow in warm climates throughout the world. Crepe myrtles are native to India, southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
The Lagerstroemia genus was first described by famous taxonomist Carl Linneaus, who named the genus after the director of the Swedish East India Company Magnus von Lagerström, who supplied him with the plants.
Plant specimen (2007-08-11) by KENPEIBRIT Collections
Crepe myrtles are noted for their attractive, smooth, exfoliating bark, which reveals a mottled appearance in shades of brown, gray, and tan.
Texas Crape Myrtle (1999-07-22) by Botanical Research Institute of TexasBRIT Collections
Herbarium Specimen of Lagerstroemia indica
The leaves are simple, opposite, and can range from dark green to reddish, depending on the variety and season. In autumn, the leaves often turn bright red, orange, or yellow before falling.
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Crape Myrtle Alley at Dallas Arboretum is stunning year-round. This street view shows the trees in April, before their transition to bright green leaves and colorful blooms.
Plant specimen (2022-06-17) by Larry D. MooreBRIT Collections
Crepe myrtles are valued for their ornamental beauty, environmental resilience, and adaptability. Their wide range of flower colors, combined with their tolerance for harsh growing conditions, makes them a versatile choice for both home gardens and urban environments.
Plant specimen (2009-09-05) by Art AndersonBRIT Collections
Since their 18th Century introduction to Europe and the Americas, crepe myrtle have become an iconic symbol of summer landscaping, especially in the southern United States, where they are often called the "lilac of the South."
Crepe Myrtle: A Worldwide Ornamental Beauty
Story created by Alyssa Kosyaem, Philecology Herbarium, Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
References:
Stahl, C. A., & McElvaney, R. (2003). Trees of texas: An easy guide to leaf identification (1st ed.). Texas A & M University Press.
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