White Crepe Myrtle
Scientific name: Lagerstroemia indica ‘Alba’
POWO Status: Shrub or Tree
IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern
GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.53″ N, 64° 49′ 45.86″ W
Observations:
Phenological Markers – Lagerstroemia indica ‘Alba’
Common Name: White Crape Myrtle
Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica L. ‘Alba’
Family: Lythraceae
Leaf Phenology
- Leaf Type: Simple, opposite or whorled, oval to oblong with smooth edges; bright green turning yellow, orange, or red in autumn (in cooler climates)
- Deciduous: Yes — sheds leaves during dry or cool seasons
- Leaf Flush: New leaves emerge in early spring to early rainy season, often just before or alongside flowering
- Senescence: Leaves yellow and drop after flowering or in response to seasonal change or drought
Flowering
- Inflorescence: Terminal panicles of showy, frilly white flowers with crinkled petals
- Blooming Period: Late spring through summer; may rebloom intermittently through early fall in warm climates
- Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and other insects
- Phenological Indicator: Prominent clusters of white flowers at branch tips, often with new leaf flush
Fruiting
- Fruit Type: Brown, woody capsule that splits to release winged seeds
- Fruit Development: Begins after flowering; capsules mature in late summer to fall
- Dispersal: Wind and gravity
- Phenological Indicator: Clusters of dry seed capsules remaining on bare or leafy twigs; often visible into the dormant season
Suggested Photo Angles
- Full tree or shrub form, especially in bloom
- Close-up of white flower clusters
- New leaf flush and flowering tips
- Seed capsules (green to brown, open or closed)
- Seasonal color change or leaf drop (if applicable)
Notes for Monitoring
May exhibit some leaf color change before drop, depending on environmental conditions
Lagerstroemia indica ‘Alba’ is a cultivar of the common crape myrtle, valued for its long blooming period and bright white flowers
Flowering is strongly linked to warm temperatures and rainfall, with pruning often encouraging additional blooming
Best phenological markers: flowering panicles, leaf flush timing, and seed capsule development