Giant crape myrtle, Rose-of-India
Lagerstroemia macrocarpa
Family: Lythraceae
What it is like
A deciduous tree. It grows 10-13 m tall. The bark is light grey and scaly. It is deeply furrowed. The leaves are oblong and 8-15 cm long. They are leathery. The flower petals are crinkled and clawed. They are pink. The flowers are 8-10 cm wide. They are in dense short clusters. The fruit is a round capsule.
There are about 50 Lagerstroemia species. They grow in tropical places.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in open country and along river banks. It grows well in seasonally moist and dry areas. It needs an average but well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
CAUTION: Old leaves have a lot of tannin.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bang lang trai to, Bongor ayer, Bungor, Bungur ayer, Intanin bok, Inthanin-bok