Practical
Plants

Lagerstroemia indica

Crepe Myrtle

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Lagerstroemia genus in the family Lythraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
5 m
Spread
5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The stem bark is febrifuge, stimulant and styptic[10][12]. The bark, flowers and leaves are considered to be hydrogogue and a drastic purgative[12]. A paste of the flowers is applied externally to cuts and wounds[14]. The root is astringent, detoxicant and diuretic[4][10]. A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of colds[10].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hydrogogue
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Styptic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - hard. A useful timber[3].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat
Open grassy places and on cliffs at low altitudes[2], also on forest edges[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[15]. Another report says to sow spring in a greenhouse[8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair to good percentage[15]. Cuttings of mature wood in the winter in a frame[8]. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. High percentage[15].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny sheltered position[7][8]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Succeeds in soils low in nutrients[8]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[9]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c if the wood is well ripened[7]. They require very hot and humid summers and preferably the protection of a south facing wall if they are to flower in Britain[6][13]. Plants are hardy in a very sunny position in southern England but they only flower in consistently warm summers[2]. Plants are much hardier when the wood is thoroughly ripened by the sun[5][8]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[8]. Flowers are produced in broad panicles on the tips of the current years growth[11]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring in order to encourage new growth[11]. Young plants grow fairly quickly and will often flower in their first year after planting out[11]. Plants do not transplant well and should be moved with a large rootball[8]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  4. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  9. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

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  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

  14. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  15. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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