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1 June 2018 Avian Feeding on Seed of the Exotic Ornamental Lagerstroemia indica (Crapemyrtle)
Gary R. Graves
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Abstract

The ornamental plant Lagerstroemia indica (Crapemyrtle) was introduced to American gardens before 1796, but little is known about its use as a food resource by avian species. Local wintering populations of Spinus tristis (American Goldfinch), Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco), and Haemorhous mexicanus (House Finch) feed heavily on Crapemyrtle seeds, and I observed 5 additional bird species occasionally extracting seeds from dehiscent capsules in Fairfax County, VA. Planted and naturalized Crapemyrtle may be an important food resource for finches and sparrows in southeastern US.

Gary R. Graves "Avian Feeding on Seed of the Exotic Ornamental Lagerstroemia indica (Crapemyrtle)," Southeastern Naturalist 17(2), 293-297, (1 June 2018). https://doi.org/10.1656/058.017.0212
Published: 1 June 2018
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