Jarul/ Queen's crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa syn L.thorellii & L.flos-reginae)

[J.M. Garg]

One of the beautiful flowering trees & quite common in Kolkata. It's the dominating tree in my Colony. It's bark is quite distinctive (pale brown & flaking). Flowers are Mauve, Pink or lilac, fading pale pink or white when old & in large erect clusters with cranky petals.

For more information, please click on the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia_speciosa

http://www.bangalorewalks.com/musings6.htm
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With regards,
J.M.Garg
"Enjoy every moment of your life"

For learning about our trees & plants, please visit http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en

[J.M. Garg]

Dear Bindu ji,

You are possibly right. Tropical garden plants by Bose,Chowdhury & Sharma (published 1991) gives following account:

L.speciosa: (syn. L. flos-reginae) Flowers wide open, 5-7 cm across on large panicles 30-45 cm long at the tip of the branches;petals mostly six, about 3 cm longclawed, rounded & crumpled, spreading, mauve in colour.

L.speciosa, type 'Magnifica': A type also seen with larger leaves, longer spikes & larger flowers, often termed as L.speciosa 'Magnifica'

L.speciosa 'Rosea': This iis a variety of the species having shorter height, compact crown, smaller leaves & rose-coloured flowers on smaller spikes.

L.thorellii: A dwarf & bushy tree, 6-8m high...... Flowers nearly  3 cm across, in large, terminal panicles 30-40 cm long; mauve, fading to almost white, thus giving a bi-colour effect.

 

Although I am just an amateur, but you see there is constant churning even in scientific naming, as more & more studies are made & earlier observations modified. Some species which were earlier different are merged &  vice versa.
 

On 7/30/07, bindu kapadia <bind...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks JM.

Beautiful photographs.But i am still of the opinion that L.speciosa-Jarul or Queens and Pride of India are DIFFERENT Both grow in Mumbai and i have  noted them.Flowers of the Queen's are the largest  and they are of the uniform colour  --dark or pale,fresh or withered. Whereas the flowers of the pride of india are smaller and  as shown in your Banglore walk links are of three

shades.The oldest,the palest like that.Even leaves are different-.smaller in size comparatively

Anyways  you might be right but i am not satisfied.

Do let me know if you come across something  in future.

Regards,

Bindu