asano · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
Known commonly as frangipani, *Plumeria sp* is a highly fragrant genus of flowering plants, often grown as an ornamental shrub or small tree. The flowers are notable for their rich, complex scent, which is believed to attract pollinators by mimicking the fragrance of nectar-rich sources.
Field notes
Morphology
The branches are succulent, and the leaves vary greatly by species, ranging from narrow and corrugated (like *P. alba*) to elongated and glossy (like *P. pudica*). The flowers grow in clusters and consist of tubular corollas that split into five overlapping, waxy petals, appearing in colors such as pink, red, white, yellow, or orange. The plant also produces two-follicle fruits with winged seeds.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Neotropical realm, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and as far south as Brazil and as far north as Florida in the United States. They are also grown in hot desert climates in the Arabian Peninsula with irrigation.
Cultivation notes
The species can be propagated by seed or vegetatively by cutting stem tips in spring, which should be planted in well-drained soil to prevent rot. Cuttings can also be grafted to an established system.
History & etymology
The name *Plumeria* was first used by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1700, but was formally published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in Species Plantarum. The genus name is attributed to Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in honor of Charles Plumier, a French botanist who explored the tropical Americas.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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