A botanist weighs in on our love-hate relationship with crepe myrtles
Lots of people love the crepe myrtle but others think of them as an inadequate and over-planted species. Some even refer to them as ‘crap myrtle’. But is that fair?
The crepe myrtle, a medium-sized tree often adorned with an explosion of white, pink, purple or red flowers, lines many Australian streets. While some people love these trees, others view them as inadequate and over-planted species, even referring to them as "crap myrtle." Crepe myrtle is the common name for several Lagerstroemia species, one of which is the native Lagerstroemia archeriana found in Queensland and Western Australia.
The more familiar specimen is Lagerstroemia indica, also known as the common crepe myrtle or crape myrtle. This small tree, with its smooth silver to coppery bark and impressive flowering, has been widely planted in urban areas due to its adaptability and disease resistance. However, crepe myrtles can shed large volumes of flowers, which may become mushy and slippery as they decay.
They also provide less shade and habitat for organisms compared to larger trees. While some people feel the crepe myrtle is out of fashion, its hardiness in hotter, drier regions makes it a viable option for urban street trees. Only time will tell if this tree will continue to win over residents' hearts and minds.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
