Lagerstroemia tomentosa (White Crape Myrtle, Leza )


Botanical Information

FamilyLythraceae
GenusLagerstroemia
Speciestomentosa
SynonymsMurtughas tomentosa
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginSouthern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1.1-10
Temperature (°F)30-40
Height20 - 35 metres
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May

Description and Growing Information

PropagationBy seed.
CultivationGrow in moist, well-drained soils in full sun.
Notable SpecimensQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
HabitatEvergreen, semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, usually occupying the lower slopes of hills and well-drained valleys on deep rich soils; at elevations from 600 - 1,200 metres.
Bark/Stem DescriptionA straight bole free of branches for most of its height and up to 80 cm in diameter.
Leaf DescriptionOblong-lanceolate to ovate leaves, measuring about 8 - 18 cm long and 4 - 6.5 cm wide, petiole measuring about 4 - 8 mm long, abaxial surface is tomentose.
Flower DescriptionWhite flowers, sometimes pale pink, with crinkled petals and borne in panicles measuring about 8 - 20 m long, sepals measuring about 3 - 4 mm long, numerous stamens clustered in the centre, ovary densely tomentose.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit is a globose to ovoid-oblong capsule, measuring about 1 - 1.5 cm by 0.8 - 1.1 cm. Seeds including wings measure about 6 - 7 mm long.

Photographs