Lagerstroemia speciosa aka Queen's Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia speciosa is a tree in the loosestrife family, Lythraceae. Gardeners call it queen's crape myrtle or pride of India. Its native range runs from China's Yunnan region through tropical Asia. It grows along rivers, in swamps, and in open ground. It also occurs in coastal areas and places with regrowth.

This fast-growing tree forms an upright, rounded or vase-shaped crown. Garden trees reach 30–60 feet [9.1–18.3 metres] tall. Their spread reaches 30–40 feet [9.1–12.2 metres]. Some specimens reach about 85 feet [26 metres]. The tree can form several trunks and produce root suckers. Its thin, smooth bark has gray and brown patches. It peels with age and suffers damage with ease. The simple leaves have smooth edges and pointed tips. They feel leathery and grow in opposite or near-opposite pairs. Sources report leaf lengths from 3 to 14 inches. Dark green leaves may turn red before they fall. Sources describe the tree as deciduous or partly evergreen.

Pink to lavender flowers have crinkled petals and six petals each. They form panicles at the ends of branches. These clusters can reach 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] long. Bloom starts in late spring and continues into summer. Florida reports place the main display in June and July. Bees pollinate the flowers. Round, woody capsules follow the blooms and mature in fall. They change from green to brown, then black. The fruits can stay on the tree.

Grow this tree in full sun in a warm climate. Sources place it in USDA zones 10b–11b. Protect it from frost and provide regular water. It tolerates drought, but prefers moist, rich soil. Deep loam suits it well, though sand and clay also work. It tolerates some standing water, yet grows in well-drained sites. Reports differ on alkaline soil tolerance; yellow leaves may result. Salty soil does not suit it. Pruning helps build strong branches and clears low limbs from paths.

The tree serves as a shade, specimen, or street tree. Its wood has uses in construction and railway ties. Bark supplies yellow dye, while leaves, bark, and fruit contain tannins. Aphids and scale can lead to sooty mold. Powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot are also reported. Florida sources find no major disease concern. No edible uses are recorded by Useful Tropical Plants. That source reports hydrocyanic acid in roots, stems, and leaves. It also records traditional leaf treatments for diabetes and urinary complaints. These medicinal uses do not establish safety for eating the plant.