Lagerstroemia fauriei 'Fantasy'
Other common names
Japanese: Saru suberi
Origin of the species name
Lagerstroemia isin honour of the Swede Magnus von Lagerstroem (1691-1759), manager of the Company of India, who supplied Linnaeus with plant specimens; fauriei is named after Urbain Jean Faurie, a French priest and botanist (1847-1915); 'Fantasy' is the cultivar name given to a seedling selection in 1982 at the JL Raulston Arboretum in the USA.
Family
Lythraceae
General description
This is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree. The cultivar 'Fantasy' is vase shaped and spreading with colourful deciduous bark that flakes to reveal a smooth, red- brown surface. The dark green leaves do not have a notable autumn display. The small flowers are white with some having a slight pink flush. Height 15m Spread 10m.
Natural distribution and habitat
The species is native to Yakushima Island, Japan where it is limited to riverbed sediments and the foot-slopes of small watersheds.
Conservation status
Although it is not internationally classified as threatened, it is a species of Lagerstroemia restricted just to the island Yakushima Island.
Uses
Since seed was collected and taken to the United States, where several cultivars have been selected, it is becoming a popular garden plant outside of Japan because of its resistance to some fungal diseases, tree form and colourful bark.