Frangipani
Botanic name: plumeria
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| Plumeria Rubra |
The name "Plumeria" is attributed to Charles
Plumier, a 17th Century French botanist who described several tropical species.
However, in 1522 the plant was already described by Francisco de Mendoza, a
Spanish priest. The name, "frangipani" comes from the Italian
nobleman, Marquis Frangipani, who created a perfume used to scent gloves in the
16th century. The scent of the frangipani flower reminded people of the scented
gloves, thus the flower was called frangipani. The name can also be derived
from the French frangipanier which is a type of coagulated
milk looking like (the poisonous) Plumeria milk.
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| Plumeria Rubra Yellow |
Plumeria or Frangipani is a small genus of 7-8 species native to tropical and subtropical Americas. From Mexico and Central America, Plumeria has spread to all tropical areas of the world, especially Hawaii. Plumeria species have differently shaped leaves and their form and growth habits are also distinct.
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| Plumeria Rubra |
The sweet scent and sheer beauty of the frangipani (Plumeria)
make them universally loved, both as a tree and as a cut flower. The white and
yellow species are more familiar, but they come in varied colours of tropical
and sunset – the closer to the equator, the more colourful.
Frangipanis are tough plants that can survive neglect, heat
and drought, insect and pest attacks and still fill the garden
with a wonderful
perfume. The small trees only grow to about 5-6m in height, but often have wide
branches. Their well-behaved root system makes them suitable for the garden (any
soil type will do) and for growing in pots, but it needs to be well drained. They
grow in all climates (except when there is severe frost) but prefer a hot, dry
climate.
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| Plumeria Rubra adult tree |
The deciduous tree allows maximum winter sun while providing
shade in summer. With its gnarled branches, long leaves and distinctive
flowers, the frangipani is easily one of the most common and identifiable
trees. The bark is grey/green and scaly in appearance. Related to the Oleander,
the milky, sticky sap is poisonous to both humans and animals.
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to
lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. As the flowers have no nectar,
they simply dupe their pollinators who transfer the pollen from flower to
flower in their fruitless search for nectar.
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| Plumeria Pudica Pink |
The distinctively scented Frangipani flowers appear in
clusters. The petals are waxy
with the centre of the flower a different colour to the rest. The most common
frangipani has white flowers with a yellow centre, but they can vary from deep crimson to orange, yellow
and white (and every shade in between). In general, flowers appear from
December to April and even longer in warmer climates.
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| Plumeria Rubra Pink |
Some facts about the Frangipani
• Many
Hawaiian leis are made from frangipani (Plumeria) flowers.
• The
colorful caterpillar of Pseudosphinx tetrio feeds only on the leaves
of Plumeria rubra.
•
Frangipanis are good hosts for dendrobium orchids.
• The
frangipani is the national tree of Laos, where it is called dok jampa. Regarded
as a sacred tree in Laos, Buddhist Temples have many trees that are hundreds of
years old. These are spectacular, huge, gnarled giants.
• The
frangipani is the flower of the city of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.
• The
frangipani is the national flower of Nicaragua and it features on some of their
bank notes.
•
Frangipanis won’t burn except in extreme (over 500 degrees) temperatures.
• In
Caribbean cultures the leaves are used as poultices (a healing wrap) for
bruises and ulcers and the latex is used as a liniment for rheumatism.
• In
India the frangipani is a symbol of immortality because of its ability to
produce leaves and flowers even after it has been lifted out of the soil. Often
planted near temples and graveyards, where the fresh flowers fall daily upon
the tombs.
• In
Vietnam the frangipani is used for its healing qualities: the bark, mashed in
alcohol, prevents skin inflammation, it is also used to treat indigestion and
high blood pressure, while the roots have purgative effects on animals and the
milk-like sap serves as a balm for skin diseases. The white flowers are used in
traditional medicine to cure high blood pressure, hemophilia, cough, dysentery
and fever.
•
Frangipani (Plumeria) is very rare in China, and even more precious than
orchids. So, when a person gives frangipani flowers to a sweetheart, it is the
closest thing to saying you're special, I love you in a culture where
expression of personal feelings is frowned upon.
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| Plumeria Obtuse |
Plumeria Rubra is the most common plant which comes in many
colours: from white to cream to yellow, even oranges, pinks (both pale and hot
pink), reds and even deep cerise. Rubra has the most fragrant flowers – always 5
oval shaped, medium sized petals.
The long
and oval leaves
have a pointed end and drop when winter approaches. This tree
can grow to 5m tall and almost as wide.
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| Plumeria Rubra leaves |
Species
- Plumeria alba
- Plumeria obtusa
- Plumeria pudica
- Plumeria rubra
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| Plumeria Obtuse |
In Israel, the Kal-Shtil nursery has a big variety of
Plumeria species. Bitan-Aharon, Israel.
00-972-9-8663340
Sources
www.allthingsfrangipani.com/frangipani-species.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria
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| Plumeria Rubra in Israel - at the Sea of Galiee |
