Lagerstroemia siamica (Siamese Crape Myrtle)

Native to Myanmar, Thailand and northern Peninsular Malaysia, this tree grows in disturbed lowland habitats and along roadsides. Loose terminal flower clusters carry pink to violet petals that fade toward white as they age. Gray-brown bark peels or flakes, and the foliage has prominent lateral veins. Small, ear-like projections occur between the calyx lobes. Photographed in Florida.