I went to the database and searched for Lagerstroemia indica as well as "Crape" Myrtle and "Crepe" Myrtle but I couldn't for the life of me find the Parent Plant listing. I knew I had uploaded images to the database but I don't know the cultivars of any of the ones we have so I've just uploaded them to the parent plant entry. I'm getting old but finally figured out to go to my profile page and search through my photo's to get to the listing!

What I discovered is, to find the parent plant in the Database Browse and Search field you have to type in Crepe Myrtles (plural). The Crepe Myrtles Database

I'm also wondering about the correct spelling of the common name for this tree. For as long as I can remember I spelled the name Crepe Myrtle but changed when a few people were adamant that I was spelling it wrong, saying that it should be spelled Crape Myrtle. I found the ITIS site a couple of years ago and they list the common name as one word spelled, crapemyrtle so I've changed my photo file folder name to the single word with that spelling.

Lin, I don't thing there is a "proper" spelling for the common name. I believe it began as Crepe Myrtle (still used by many gardeners) but over the years has also morphed into Crape Myrtle (the spelling for the way it's pronounced in the US). Both are used and "correct" (at least as far as any common name can be correct). Have never seen it listed as Crapemyrtle except for your citation from ITIS. I think 99% of gardeners would look for it as 2 words.

Searching on the plural for the parent plant is rather odd. It really should be just the singular. One doesn't look up Peonies; it's just Peony on the search.

Those of us who dislike this overused, suckering, aphid-infested plant which is almost impossible to get rid of call it Crap Myrtle (not a common "common name")

krancmm said: Those of us who dislike this overused, suckering, aphid-infested plant which is almost impossible to get rid of call it Crap Myrtle (not a common "common name")

Yes, it's a tree that in the south is heavily used for landscaping, but it's still one that I like a lot! To my eyes, the Crape Myrtle's in N.C. and Virginia always seem to be more lush and prettier than the ones I see here in Florida ... which may have something to do with pruning. Ours used to be prettier before my husband began taking the chain saw to them! There are lots of Crape Myrtle's around town and every year the city crews prune them heavily with chain saws ( that's where my husband got the idea.) I've never seen aphids on crape myrtles, unlike the saplings of Nerium oleander that for the past few years seem to be horrible aphid magnets!

plantladylin said:I went to the database and searched for Lagerstroemia indica as well as "Crape" Myrtle and "Crepe" Myrtle but I couldn't for the life of me find the Parent Plant listing

The parent plant covers more than just L. indica. If you search for Lagerstroemia, then at the top there is a link that says: "Click here to view the parent plant for lagerstroemia."

Also, if you visit ANY crepe myrtle in the database, at the bottom you can click on "See the general plant entry for Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)"

Additionally, from the plants tab front page, you can click on "Crepe Myrtles" in the Custom Databases box.

What I discovered is, to find the parent plant in the Database Browse and Search field you have to type in Crepe Myrtles (plural).

That works because the name of the custom database is "crepe myrtles". If you search for "daylilies" you will be taken to the front page for the custom daylilies database.

I'm also wondering about the correct spelling of the common name for this tree.

Take your pick, like Monica said. I've always spelled it crepe myrtle but I know there are many, many people out there who insist on crape.

dave said:The parent plant covers more than just L. indica. If you search for Lagerstroemia, then at the top there is a link that says: "Click here to view the parent plant for lagerstroemia." Also, if you visit ANY crepe myrtle in the database, at the bottom you can click on "See the general plant entry for Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)"

Oops, I really did know that ... but, I must have been having brain freeze. Thanks for helping me remember.