Leaves are alternate and smooth, but leaf size depends on variety.
Flowers are borne in summer in big showy clusters of white, pink, purple or nearly red. The tree may be upright or spreading, depending on variety. Large varieties are very fast growing and can put on several feet in a single growing season. Many types have interesting bark that exfoliates in thin flakes exposing a lovely cinnamon or gray inner bark. Crapes sucker quite a bit from the ground, and you may find yourself pulling up little baby crapes all summer.