Wild Crapemyrtle
Malpighia glabra
- Native to:
- Aruba, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Vietnam, Virgin Islands
John Lindley and Joseph Paxton , drawing by L. A. L. Constans
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malpighiaceae
- Genus:
- Malpighia
- Species:
- Malpighia glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- MAGL6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius), Chiomara asychis, Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus), Timochares ruptifasciatus
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Timochares ruptifasciata
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers fertile soils with good organic content
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Fresh seeds germinate readily without pretreatment. Germination rates decline with seed age.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI