crape myrtle

or crepe myrtle

noun

1. a tall Chinese shrub, Lagerstroemia indica, of the loosestrife family, having clusters of crinkled red, pink, purple, or white flowers, grown as an ornamental in the southern and western U.S.

crape myrtle

noun

1. an oriental lythraceous shrub, Lagerstroemia indica, cultivated in warm climates for its pink, red, or white flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of crape myrtle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Tree varieties include Eureka lemon, pink guava, Golden Delicious apple, coast live oak, olive, crape myrtle, California sycamore, desert willow and torrey pines.

From Los Angeles Times

They also claimed the crape myrtles would provide similar amounts of shade and noise reduction.

From Los Angeles Times

The crape myrtle bark scale has crept into the D.C. region in recent years.

From Washington Post

While their leafy cousins parade their fabulous colors this month, the future for crape myrtles across the region — and beyond — is decidedly gray.

From Washington Post

The walls keep to mostly a neutral palette, with the exception of a vibrant pink wallpaper in the library, a color inspired by crape myrtle tree blossoms, Bridges says.

From Washington Post