Spelling in Google
Looking at some gorgeous flowers in Paula's blog, I was reminded of a (to me) very exotic tree I saw in New Orleans: crepe myrtle -- or so I thought. It seems the tree is crape myrtle! Or so I found out here:
"The common name of this plant is crape myrtle not crepe myrtle. It is called this because the flowers have crinkly petals that resemble the material called crepe (which according to Webster is a "light crinkled fabric woven of any of various fibers") but many references tell us that you're supposed to spell it crape when it's in front of myrtle. Confused? I think somebody was full of crape when they came up with this name! At any rate, it's a common name and since there's no authority that manages common names for plants you can spell (or call it) whatever you like!"
So let's make it simple:
Lagerstroemia indica is good enough for me.
Or the 'Catawba' variety:
posted by Aisha | 1:30 AM
3 Comments:
I have a crepe (crape just doesn't look right) myrtle right outside my bedroom window. It's a gorgeous hot pink like the picture. I love it.
lucky you!
I remember my Florida and Texas friends both having them -- never seen them before until New Orleans: they bowled me over!
Crape Myrtle. With an 'a.' Well, Ah swan.
Carol
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