Lagerstroemia speciosa

Specimen : Wild trees

Habitats: Creek bank thickets and open grasslands

Local name : Banaba

Trade names : Pride of India, Queen of flowers, Banglang

Botanical name : Lagerstroemia speciosa

Family : Lythraceae

Height : 6-12 meters

Fruiting season : Rainy months

Traits : Semi-deciduous to deciduous; Deep-rooted; Drought tolerant; Fast growing; Grassfire tolerant; Prolific bloomer; Small to medium-sized tree; Water-logging tolerant

Recommendations : Agroforestry; Backyards; Erosion control; Farms; Home gardens; Living fence; Living trellis; Nurse tree; Ornamental tree; Plantations; Pioneer species for reforestation purpose; Riparian management; Roadside tree; Urban greening; Wildcrafting; Windbreak

Used for : Leaves are medicinal and made into tea for diabetic and urinary tract problems; Bark yields a yellow dye; Wood for general construction, mine timber, poles, furniture, interior works, paneling, wooden handles, novelties and carving; Firewood and charcoal

Native range : India, China and Southeast Asia (including the Philippines)

National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines

Threats : Conversion of woodlands to agricultural, commercial and residential plots; Cutting of wild trees for fuelwood and charcoal production

Further readings :

Revised Lexicon of Philippine Trees (J. Rojo)

Tropical & Subtropical Trees (M. Barwick)

World Agroforestry Centre (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1790 (870)