Lagerstroemia ‘Apalachee’

Lagerstroemia indica Apalachee

(DR Egolf, HortSci. 22(4):674-677. 1987): Deciduous, ascending, multi-stemmed, large shrub or small tree, 3.8 m high and 2.6 m wide after 12 years; sinuous, mottled, flaking older branches and trunk reveal a cinnamon-coloured to chestnut brown (Greyed Orange 164A ² ) bark colour; leaves glossy, smooth, initially light bronze-coloured, later leathery, dark green, elliptical to inverted ovoid, 6-9 cm long and 3-4.5 cm wide, dull orange to rusty brown to dark red in autumn; panicles 14-24 cm long, 14-1.8 cm wide, tapering, branched, with 150-400 florets; flowers light lavender (Purple 76A), 2-3 cm in diameter with long, curled petals; very tolerant of powdery mildew under field conditions. Originated in 1972 from a cross of L. indica (Asuka Dwarf Hybrid) × L. fauriei ; selected in 1976; introduced in 1987 by the US National Arboretum; NA 54979; PI 499285. Name registered 1 May 1992. Selection from Lagerstroemia × egolfii (Source : Checklist Lagerstroemia USDA/ARS National Arboretum )