CREPE MYRTLE
Native: China & Korea
Family: lythraceae
Commonly known as in the loosestrife family.
A French botanist, André Michaux, is credited with bringing them to Charleston, South Carolina, around 1790. They were initially introduced to England in 1759 but didn't thrive there, unlike their success in the warmer climates of the Southern US.
From Charleston, crepe myrtles spread throughout the Southern US, becoming a beloved ornamental plant and a symbol of summer in the region.
The bark peals as it ages which is an unusual trait of the white variety and one that one for all other varieties. It doea aid in easy identification of the “Natchez” variety.
The white “Natchez” variety of Crepe Myrtle is the a favorite due to it’s larger flowers and shows abundantly on the tree.
Once finished flowering, the crepe myrtles produce seed pods. After they have dried into a dark brown pod, squeeze them over a shallow bowl and shake the seeds out.
Note the opposite leaf arrangement and the sage green color of the leaves with red stems, especially on the new growth.
Early Seed Pod developement