Giant Crape Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia speciosa )
Height: up to 20 m
Origin: Southeast Asia
Environment: open forests, grasslands and along rivers
Climate: tropical/subtropical
Notes:
Also known as the Queen’s Crape Myrtle or the Banabá, the Giant Crape Myrtle is a popular ornamental plant due to its bright pink flowers. Flowers grow in long panicles and they blossom from summer to autumn. Its leaves are used in preparation of types of tea, and Banabá extract is used as a natural health supplement.