Jarul, Giant crepe-myrtle, Lagerstroemia speciosa

Jarul or Giant crepe-myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa, family: Lythraceae) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with upright branches and grey bark. It can get a height of 15-20 m. The tree is native to South & Southeast Asia. The water-loving plant is found around the wetlands areas in Bangladesh. 

Common names: Giant crape-myrtle, Pride of India.

Leaves are green, entire, elliptical or lanceolate, 10-20 cm long and 4-8 cm wide. 

Fowers are in raceme inflorescences, showy, purple in color. Flower 5-7 cm across, have 5 petals with numerous stamens in the middle. It gives flower early in the summer. The round to oval-shaped fruit is  2-3 cm in diameter. When mature it becomes very dry and splits in 6 pieces. Propagation of the plant is caused by seeds.

Parrot loves its fruits very much!

The leaf and bark are laxative stimulant. The decoction made from these can prevent fever. The plant is water tolerating, so it is suitable for marshy areas and can be planted beside lake and pond. The species name 'speciosa' derives from its very attractive purple-colored showy flowers. By the by, the Latin word 'speciosa' means beautiful.