Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.)
Pers., Synops. 2 (1807)
Latin for 'showy', referring to the flowers.
Synonyms
Lagerstroemia flos-reginae Retz., Munchausia speciosa L.
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 26 m tall and 61 cm dbh. Stipules ? Leaves alternate,
simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 45 mm diameter, blue-purple, placed
in erect panicles. Fruits ca. 22 mm long, green-yellow-brown, dehiscent capsules
splitting in six elongate parts. Seeds small, winged.
Ecology
In open vegetation types, often coastal areas, in regrowth or in swamps,
also planted a lot up to 100 m altitude. Usually on alluvial sites and along
rivers with sandy to clay soils.
Uses
Ornamental. Also used for fire wood.
Distribution
Pan-tropical. Originally possibly from Java. In Borneo collected throughout
the island.
Local names in Borneo
Anunang, Bongor biru, Bungor, Bungur, Linang, Nunang, Sagawang, Tibabah.
