crape myrtle
1
8.8
- noun
- /kreɪp ˈmɜːrtəl/
- US
:
mirtillo de cera
- In warm climates, the crape myrtle is a popular choice for landscaping due to its beautiful summer flowers.
- crape myrtle tree
- red crape myrtles
- white crape myrtle
Examples
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Photo (color): The beautiful blooms of crape myrtle are now common in many U.S. gardens because of improved cold tolerance and disease resistance provided by ARS.
Academic text (2002) -
The large crape myrtle tree in the Phizers' backyard was still in late summer bloom, the color of watermelon.
Fiction book (2000) -
I saw one crape myrtle in town.
Blog text (27) -
As if we did not already have enough tree damage, I lost my beautiful Crape Myrtle due to the heavy wet snow...
Blog text (31) -
I have not traveled much in the South and really do need to see crape myrtles in all their beauty someday.
Blog text (27) -
So, if you had to choose between heptacodium and crape myrtle, which would you grow?
Blog text (27) -
Have you tried any of the crape myrtle varieties that are touted as being hardy enough for zone 6 gardens?
Blog text (27) -
Unfortunately, there are many southern crape myrtles around here in dire need of a proper pruning.
Blog text (27) -
When I moved to East Haddam, Connecticut, 11 years ago, I tried and failed at growing crape myrtle, a tree I had loved in my Southern gardens.
Blog text (27) -
I hope you do someday see crape myrtles in the South; an allee of them in bloom is so dramatic, you'll hear organs playing.
Blog text (27)
Synonyms
A small tree or shrub with bright summer flowers called crape myrtle
A small tree or shrub with wrinkled bright flowers often planted in warm gardens
A small tree or shrub with showy pink to purple flowers that grows in warm parts of Asia and Africa
A tropical tree with large showy purple flowers often grown in gardens
Surface Forms
Morphology
crape + myrtle
The head noun 'myrtle' clearly signals a type of shrub, so a learner who knows 'myrtle' would likely infer this is a variety of myrtle. However, 'crape' is an uncommon/variant form (related to 'crepe') and does not transparently convey the plant's showy flowers or ornamental status, so the full meaning is not predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Crape myrtle may come from the look of its flowers and leaves: the thin, crinkled petals reminded people of crape, a wrinkled cloth, and the plant looked like a small myrtle shrub. That's why the name refers to this 'small tree' grown for its showy, crinkled flowers.