About Lagerstroemia microcarpa Wight
Lagerstroemia microcarpa Wight is a tree that grows taller than 30 meters (100 feet). It can be easily recognized by its smooth white bark, which peels off in large, papery flakes. This species grows naturally in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, and is typically found in forest openings. It is a light-demanding tree in the later stages of its life cycle, and produces beautiful white flowers. Although large, mature specimens of Lagerstroemia microcarpa are abundant in natural forests, seedlings are usually absent. According to research from KFRI, the tree produces millions of seeds every year, but very few to none of these seeds germinate. This low germination rate occurs because most seeds are non-viable, as they lack a functional embryo (viable embryos only occur rarely). The gap between seed dispersal and the rainy season also contributes to poor germination. KFRI research also found that forest fires negatively impact the species' natural regeneration rate. Assisted germination methods using vermiculite or foam sheet have been found to produce fairly reasonable germination percentages. Additional trials of these assisted methods may be needed in the future to prevent this species from disappearing from its native forests.
