(Lythraceae)
Lagerstroemia subcostata  CWJ12352

Description

A gorgeous elegant and unusual deciduous small tree or shrub I collected seed of in the cool mountains of northern Taiwan with Finlay Colley and Dan Hinkley in 2007. Where it grew in sizeable stands within the forest with startling burnt orange flaking bark where it formed small trees only 4-5m tall. With arching branches which had held the small ovate leaves on red stems contrasting with the yellowing leaves before they fell. As well as the large terminal panicles of plump seed capsules which had succeeded the purple to white flowers. Probably requiring a lime-free freely drained soil with some moisture retention in a sheltered sunny situation.