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Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica · Lythraceae
How it looks
The crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub or tree with smooth tan-to-pinkish stems and oval leaves arranged opposite one another. At the branch tips, ruffled-petaled flowers in pink, purple, and white bloom in large clusters for up to 100 days. Height 10–23 ft (3–7 m).
Crape Myrtle is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
What your cat can reach is the lower leaves and stems, plus whatever has fallen to the ground. If it is standing outside in the yard, take a look at whether the space underneath is a path your cat uses often.
Fallen leaves keep piling up if left alone, so clear the side where your cat spends time now and then. If you have brought it indoors in a pot, the rim of the pot — or the tips of any trailing stems — becomes that spot instead.
Details
- Scientific name
- Lagerstroemia indica
- Common name
- Crape Myrtle
- Family
- Lythraceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Other safe flowers
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