ABSTRACT
Lagerstroemia L., a member of the Lythraceae, is a genus with some 55 species. Plants are deciduous or evergreen and can be small to large shrubs and trees. All are native to the tropical or subtropical parts of southern and eastern Asia, New Guinea, Australia, and the Pacific islands. 2 These plants are grown in horticulture for their colorful exfoliating bark and flowering habit. Sometimes Lagerstroemia are grown as pot plants in the greenhouse, 6 , 8 but most are grown in the landscape for their ornamental value. The plants prefer full sun in a hot location for optimum culture. One of the most beautiful species and most studied is that of L. indica L., the common crape myrtle.
