Lagerstroemia indica

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Lagerstroemia indica L.
Common Name : Crape-Myrtle, Chinai Mehndi, Lalit
Plant Family : Lythraceae
Plant Form : Shrub
Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 22
Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Van Chetana Kendra

Habit : A small, deciduous shrub.
Leaves : Alternate or sub-opposite, oblong or ovate, entire, acute, mucronate.
Flowers :
- Flowers showy, of every sade from white, pink, red, purple to crimson in terminal panicles. Calyx bell-shaped, red, lobes valvate.
- Petals 6, inserted at the top of the calyx-tube between the teeth, crumpled, clawed.
- Stamens many, 6 longer than the rest.
- Ovary superior, sessile, at the base of the calyx-tube, style incurved, stigma capitate.
Fruit : Capsules tipped with style base, seeds many.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : March-July
Significance : Cultivated in the gardens, as one of the most beautiful shrubs.