queen's crape myrtle

noun

variants or less commonly queen crape myrtle

: a deciduous tree (Lagerstroemia speciosa) native to tropical Asia that has oval to oblong leathery leaves, showy usually pink to purple flowers borne in large clusters, and reddish brown smooth moderately hard durable wood

Note: The queen's crape myrtle is often grown in warm regions as an ornamental tree.

The queen's crape myrtle, L. speciosa, is a tall tree with hefty spikes of flowers in June and July. … In the fall, the robust leaves turn vivid red and fall after cold spells.

—James Watson, Miami (Florida) Herald, 27 May 1990

Unusual tropicals include … a queen crape myrtle with huge lilac clusters and orchids hanging from trees and on the fence.

—Bette Smith, St. Petersburg (Florida) Times, 20 Aug. 1993

called also banaba, pride of India

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