Family: Lythraceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Lagerstroemia indica × Lagerstroemia fauriei, commonly known as crepe myrtle hybrid, is a cultivated cross between species native to East and Southeast Asia. These small to medium-sized ornamental trees are widely planted in warm regions for their long-lasting, showy flower clusters that bloom in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. They are also valued for their attractive peeling bark, which reveals smooth, mottled trunks, and their vibrant fall foliage. Crepe myrtle hybrids are commonly used in landscaping as street trees, specimen plants, or in gardens due to their drought tolerance, heat resistance, and improved disease resistance compared to older varieties.
Risks & Threats:
Crepe myrtle hybrids are generally considered low risk and are not known to be invasive in Hawaiʻi. These cultivated varieties typically have limited ability to spread beyond planted areas, and seedlings, when they occur, are usually not aggressive. While they may occasionally naturalize in some regions outside Hawaiʻi, there is no evidence that they pose significant ecological threats in the islands. As with many ornamental plants, responsible planting and maintenance—such as monitoring for unwanted seedlings—can help ensure they remain a safe and beneficial addition to local landscapes.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in the US (beyond native range)
- Unpalatable to grazing animals
- Tolerates wide range of soil conditions
- Produces viable seed
- Blooms within 1 year from seed
- Wind-dispersed seeds that may hitchhike on vehicles
- Widely planted intentionally as an ornamental
- Prolific seed production (50,000–100,000 seeds/kg)
- Resprouts after heavy pruning or mutilation
Low Risk Traits:
- No weed status documented
- No spines, thorns, or burrs
- Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic
- No fire hazard (low flammability)
- Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)
- Not climbing, smothering, or thicket-forming
- No persistent seed bank (>1 year)
