Plumeria (/pluːˈmiəriə/; common name Frangipani is a genus
of flowering plants in the dogbane
family, Apocynaceae.
It contains primarily deciduous shrubs and small trees. They are native to Central
America, Mexico,
the Caribbean,
and South America
as far south as Brazil
but can be grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Description
Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium
oleander, and both possess an irritant, rather similar to that
of Euphorbia.
Contact with the sap may irritate eyes and skin.
Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped,
alternate leaves with distinct form and growth habits. The leaves of P. alba
are quite narrow and corrugated, whereas leaves of P. pudica have an
elongated shape and glossy, dark-green color. P. pudica is one of the
everblooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that
retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtusa; though its common
name is "Singapore," it is originally from Colombia.
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night
in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar,
however, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate
them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for
nectar.
Plumeria species may be propagated
easily from cuttings of leafless stem tips in spring. Cuttings are allowed to
dry at the base before planting in well-drained soil. Cuttings are particularly
susceptible to rot in moist soil.
In order to
get the most from a plumeria plant with respect to growth, size, blooms, and
scent, there is a fine balance that must be maintained. Ideally, a plumeria is
in its element when it can have plenty of sun and appropriate water, so as to
maintain soil moistness just above a state of dryness. On the other hand, if
the plant receives a lesser amount of sun, then a lesser amount of watering is
necessary - again, to ensure that soil moistness stays just above the dry state.
The more sun, the more water. The less sun, the less water. A common mistake of
novice plumeria growers is to overwater the plant when it is not able to be
exposed to enough sun, thereby resulting in a rotted root system. Conversely,
if a plumeria plant is able to receive maximum exposure to the sun, but they
aren't watered enough, the plant will die.
Propagation
can also be by tissue culture from cuttings of freshly elongated stems or
aseptically germinated seed. Pruning is best accomplished in the winter for
deciduous varieties, or when cuttings are desired.
There are
more than 300 named varieties of Plumeria.
Etymology and common names
The genus is
named in honor of the seventeenth-century French botanist Charles
Plumier, who traveled to the New World documenting many plant and
animal species.
The common name "frangipani" comes from a sixteenth-century
marquess
of the noble family in Italy who invented a
plumeria-scented perfume.
Many English speakers also simply use the generic name "plumeria".
In Persian,
the name is "yas" or "yasmin". In India, the name is
"champa" or "chafa", in Telugu
"Deva ganneru" (divine nerium), in Manipuri
"Khagi Leihao" . In Hawaii, the name is "melia", although
common usage is still "plumeria". In Sri Lanka, it is referred to as araliya
and (in English) as the Temple Tree. In Cantonese, it is known as 'gaai
daan fa' or the 'egg yolk flower' tree. The name 'Leelawadee' (originating from
Thai)
is found occasionally. In Indonesia, where the flower has been commonly
associated with Balinese culture, it is known as "Kamboja". In French
Polynesia it is called a Tiare tree.
In culture
In
Mesoamerica Plumerias have carried complex symbolic significance for over 2000
years, with striking examples from the Maya and Aztec periods into the present.
 |
| Frangipani
trunk in Kolkata,
West Bengal,
India |
 |
| Leaves |
 |
| Flowering
tree of Plumeria rubra decorating a garden in Tel Aviv,
Israel. |
These are
now common naturalised plants in southern and
southeastern Asia.
In local folk beliefs they provide shelter to ghosts and demons. The scent of
the Plumeria has been associated with a vampire in Malay folklore, the pontianak; frangipani trees are often
planted in cemeteries. They are associated with temples in both Hindu and Buddhist
cultures.
In several
Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, and the Cook Islands
Plumeria species are used for making leis.
In modern Polynesian culture, the flower can be worn by women to indicate their
relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over
the left if taken.
P. alba is the national flower of Nicaragua
and Laos,
where it is known under the local name "Sacuanjoche" (Nicaragua) and
"Champa" (Laos).
In some Bengali
culture most white flowers, and, in particular, plumeria (Bengali,
চম্পা chômpa or চাঁপা chãpa), are associated with funerals and
death.
In the Philippines
and Indonesia,
Plumeria, which is known in Tagalog as Kalachuchi, often is associated with ghosts
and graveyards. Plumerias often are planted on cemetery grounds in both countries.
They are also common ornamental plants in houses, parks, parking lots, etc. in
the Philippines.
Balinese Hindus use the flowers in their temple
offerings.
Indian
incenses fragranced with Plumeria (Plumeria
rubra) have "champa" in their names. For example, Nag Champa
is an incense containing a fragrance combining Plumeria and sandalwood. While
Plumeria is an ingredient in Indian champa incense, the extent of its use
varies between family recipes. Most champa incenses also incorporate other tree
resins, such as Halmaddi (Ailanthus triphysa) and Benzoin resin,
as well as other floral ingredients, including Champaca (Magnolia
champaca), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) to produce a more
intense, Plumeria-like aroma.
In southern
India, western Ghat (Karnataka's) local people use cream colored Plumeria in
weddings. The groom and bride exchange Plumeria garland at the wedding. It is
alternatively called Devaganagalu or Devakanagalu (God's Plumeria). Red colored
flowers are not used in weddings. Plumeria plants are found in most of the
temples in these regions.
In Sri
Lankan tradition, Plumeria is associated with worship. One of the heavenly
damsels in the frescoes of the fifth-century rock fortress Sigiriya
holds a 5-petalled flower in her right hand that is indistinguishable from
Plumeria.
In Eastern
Africa, frangipani are sometimes referred to in Swahili love poems.
Some species
of Plumeria have been studied for their potential medicinal value.
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