Lagerstroemia microcarpa is a flowering tree that is endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range, located in southwestern India.

It is easily distinguishable by its smooth white bark that peels off in large papery flakes.

In the Western Ghats it naturally occurs in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, usually in openings.

Even though in the natural forests enormous specimens of Lagerstroemia microcarpa are abundant, seedlings are usually absent.

KFRI also found that the rate of natural regeneration is adversely affected by forest fire.