Plumeria

"Frangipani" redirects here. For other uses, see Frangipani (disambiguation).
Plumeria
Plumeria sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Plumerieae
Genus: Plumeria
L.[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Plumieria Scop.

Plumeria (/pluːˈmɛriə/; common name plumeria or frangipani) is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.[1] It contains primarily deciduous shrubs and small trees. The flowers 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.[2][3]

Description

Jamir 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.[4] Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped alternate leaves with distinct form and growth habits. The leaves of P. alba are 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 over-water 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.{American Plumeria society, Florida.

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.[5] 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 Hindi, the name is "champa" , In Marathi "Chafa" ,In Telugu "Deva ganneru" (divine nerium), in Manipuri "Khagi Leihao" . In Hawaii, the name is "melia", although common usage is still "plumeria".In Malayalam it is called "pāla" and "chempakam". 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)[6][7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

Plumeria rubra is the national flower of Nicaragua, where it is known under the local name "Sacuanjoche" and P. alba is the national flower of Laos, where it is known under the local name "Shampa".

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.[11] 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.

In Malaysia, the plumeria's scent is known to be associated with the pontianak.

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.[12]

In the dialect of Kannada spoken in the Old Mysore region of Karnataka of southern India, the flower is called DevagaNagale. In the Western Ghats of Karnataka, the 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.[13]

In Eastern Africa, frangipani are sometimes referred to in Swahili love poems.[14]

Some species of Plumeria have been studied for their potential medicinal value.[15]

Species

Accepted species[2]

  1. Plumeria alba L. - Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles
  2. Plumeria clusioides Griseb. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
  3. Plumeria cubensis Urb. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
  4. Plumeria ekmanii Urb. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
  5. Plumeria emarginata Griseb. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
  6. Plumeria filifolia Griseb. - Cuba
  7. Plumeria inodora Jacq. - Guyana, Colombia, Venezuela (incl Venezuelan islands in Caribbean)
  8. Plumeria krugii Urb. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Puerto Rico
  9. Plumeria lanata Britton (a synonym of Plumeria obtusa var. sericifolia (C.Wright ex Griseb.) Woodson [17]) - Cuba
  10. Plumeria magna Zanoni & M.M.Mejía - Dominican Republic
  11. Plumeria montana Britton & P.Wilson (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
  12. Plumeria obtusa L. - West Indies including Bahamas; southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Florida; naturalized in China
  13. Plumeria pudica Jacq. - Panama, Colombia, Venezuela (incl Venezuelan islands in Caribbean)
  14. Plumeria rubra L. - Mexico, Central America, Venezuela; naturalized in China, the Himalayas, West Indies, South America, and numerous oceanic islands
  15. Plumeria sericifolia C.Wright ex Griseb. (now demoted to Plumeria obtusa var. sericifolia (C.Wright ex Griseb.) Woodson [17]) - Cuba
  16. Plumeria × stenopetala Urb.
  17. Plumeria × stenophylla Urb. - Mexico and Central America
  18. Plumeria subsessilis A.DC. - Hispaniola
  19. Plumeria trinitensis Britton (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa var. sericifolia (C.Wright ex Griseb.) Woodson [17]) - Cuba
  20. Plumeria tuberculata G.Lodd. (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa var. sericifolia (C.Wright ex Griseb.) Woodson [17]) - Hispaniola, Bahamas
  21. Plumeria venosa Britton (now a synonym of Plumeria obtusa L.[16]) - Cuba
Formerly included in genus[2]
  1. Plumeria ambigua Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  2. Plumeria angustiflora Spruce ex Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus attenuatus (Benth.) Woodson
  3. Plumeria articulata Vahl = Himatanthus articulatus (Vahl) Woodson
  4. Plumeria attenuata Benth = Himatanthus attenuatus (Benth.) Woodson
  5. Plumeria bracteata A.DC. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  6. Plumeria drastica Mart. = Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel
  7. Plumeria fallax Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel
  8. Plumeria floribunda var floribunda = Himatanthus articulatus (Vahl) Woodson
  9. Plumeria floribunda var. acutifolia Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  10. Plumeria floribunda var. calycina Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  11. Plumeria floribunda var. crassipes Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  12. Plumeria hilariana Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  13. Plumeria lancifolia Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  14. Plumeria latifolia Pilg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  15. Plumeria martii Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  16. Plumeria microcalyx Standl. = Himatanthus articulatus (Vahl) Woodson
  17. Plumeria mulongo Benth. = Himatanthus attenuatus (Benth.) Woodson
  18. Plumeria obovata Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  19. Plumeria oligoneura Malme = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  20. Plumeria phagedaenica Benth. ex Müll.Arg. 1860 not Mart. 1831 = Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel
  21. Plumeria phagedaenica Mart. 1831 not Benth. ex Müll.Arg. 1860= Himatanthus phagedaenicus (Mart.) Woodson
  22. Plumeria puberula Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  23. Plumeria retusa Lam. = Tabernaemontana retusa (Lam.) Pichon
  24. Plumeria revoluta Huber = Himatanthus stenophyllus Plumel
  25. Plumeria speciosa Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson
  26. Plumeria sucuuba Spruce ex Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus articulatus (Vahl) Woodson
  27. Plumeria tarapotensis K.Schum. ex Markgr. = Himatanthus tarapotensis (K.Schum. ex Markgr.) Plumel
  28. Plumeria velutina Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson
  29. Plumeria warmingii Müll.Arg. = Himatanthus obovatus (Müll.Arg.) Woodson

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plumeria.
Wikispecies has information related to: Plumeria
  1. 1 2 "Genus: Plumeria L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2003-03-14. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families". Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  3. ↑ Urs Eggli, ed. (2002). Illustrated Handbook on Succulent Plants. 5: Dicotyledons. Springer. p. 16. ISBN 978-3-540-41966-2.
  4. ↑ College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Ornamentals and Flowers. Feb. 1998. OF-24.
  5. ↑ "Zumbroich, Thomas J. 2013. 'Plumerias the Color of Roseate Spoonbills'- Continuity and Transition in the Symbolism of Plumeria L. in Mesoamerica. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 11:341-363". Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  6. ↑ "KohSamui-Info". Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  7. ↑ "The Lantom or Leelawadee Flowering Tree of Thailand". Thailand-travel-guide.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  8. ↑ "Zumbroich, Thomas J. 2013. 'Plumerias the Color of Roseate Spoonbills'- Continuity and Transition in the Symbolism of Plumeria L. in Mesoamerica. Ethnobotany Research & Applications 11:341-363". Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  9. ↑ Jones, Jay (April 22, 2008). "Hawaii keeps the lei-making tradition alive". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ↑ "Symbolism of Wearing Hawaiian Flowers". Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  11. ↑ Bautista, Norby (April 22, 2015). "The summer blooming of the Kalachuchi". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Equinox Aromatics, LLC - Halmaddi - Ailanthus triphysa - India". Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Kottegoda, S R, Flowers of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, 1994; pp xiii-xiv
  14. ↑ Knappert, Jan (1972) An Anthology of Swahili Love Poetry, University of California Press, page 93. ISBN 0-520-02177-0
  15. ↑ "Phytochemical Constituents, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Properties of the Genus Plumeria". Chemistry. 8: 1357–1369. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201000159.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-161613 The Plant List (RBG, Kew, MBG) access date: 2015-02-26
  17. 1 2 3 4 http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-161615 The Plant List (RBG, Kew, MBG) access date: 2015-02-26
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