Nickname
Crape myrtle is a woody plant belonging to small trees or deciduous shrubs. It has nicknames such as "hundred day red", "full house red", "mosquito flower" and "itchy tree"
Morphological characteristics
Crape myrtle tree is up to about 7 meters long. The skin of the tree is gray or brown, the touch is relatively smooth, most of the branches grow twisted, and the branchlets are relatively thin
The leaves of crape myrtle are obovate, (oval, broad rectangular) circular paper leaves
Crape myrtle flowers have rich colors such as rose, dark pink, bright red, purple and white. The diameter of the flowers is about 3-4 cm. The flowering period is usually in the autumn with few flowers and lasts for a long time. Therefore, it is named "hundred day red"
Growth habit
Crape myrtle is suitable for growing in warm and humid sunny environment, and can also accept semi cloudy environment
Sufficient fertilizer is needed for growth. It is best to use fertile and deep sandy soil for planting, acidic soil and calcareous soil
In terms of humidity, crape myrtle should be planted in humid soil, which has a certain adaptability to the arid environment, but it is afraid of waterlogging. When planting in the ground, we can't choose the low wet place with high groundwater level
Crape myrtle also has strong anti pollution ability. To a certain extent, it can resist the pollution of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride and chlorine
Value use
Ornamental value: crape myrtle flower element has the reputation of "hundred day red". The flowers, roots and stems in the bonsai made with it have good ornamental value. Crape myrtle planted in courtyards, parks, roads and other places also has good greening function
Use value: the trunk of crape myrtle tree is hard and has good corrosion resistance. It can be used for furniture, construction and agricultural tools
Medicinal value: the leaves of crape myrtle can dispel wind and blood stasis, and have the effects of clearing heat and detoxification, hemostasis and swelling
Flower language
Crape myrtle flower represents "addicted love", as well as different symbolic meanings such as "good luck", "women" and "eloquence"