Lagerstroemia speciosa (Queens Crape Myrtle)

Lagerstroemia speciosa, commonly known as Queen's Crape Myrtle, Pride of India, or Queen's Flower, is a deciduous to semi-evergreen tree in the Lythraceae family, native to tropical South and Southeast Asia. Also known by the botanical synonym Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, it naturally inhabits moist forests, riverbanks, and other seasonally wet habitats. It typically reaches 30-60 feet tall, developing a broad, spreading crown and smooth, grayish to light brown bark that exfoliates in irregular patches. The large, opposite to nearly opposite, elliptic leaves turn reddish or orange before falling. From late spring through summer, spectacular terminal panicles bear numerous flowers with six delicate, strongly crinkled petals, ranging from pink and lavender to rich violet-purple. The flowers have conspicuous yellow stamens and are followed by rounded, woody capsules containing winged seeds.

Lagerstroemia speciosa thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained to moderately moist soil, tolerating seasonal flooding better than many ornamental trees. It is widely planted as a flowering shade and street tree in tropical and subtropical regions. Suitable for USDA Zones 10-11, established specimens may tolerate brief light frosts, but prolonged freezing can damage the tree. Unlike the smaller Lagerstroemia indica, this species develops much larger leaves, flowers, and a substantially taller, more spreading crown.