Plumeria

Notes:

Species Identification Sheet Common name: Frangipanis Scientific name: there are six different plumerias which include plumeria alba, plumeria bracteata, plumeria clusiodes, plumeria obtusa, plumeria pudica, plumeria rubes. Geographic area of origin: tropical and subtropical regions of the America's. Common uses/hazards/importance: plumeria has poisonous sap so be careful not to get it in your eyes. Distinguishing features: small trees that are as wide as they are tall. The bark is grey and has a scaly appearance. The leaves are dark green on the top and lighter green underneath. The flowers are in clusters at the tip of the branches. The flowers are waxy and in the center it is a different color. Date and method of arrival in Hawaii: a German physician and botanist brought plumerias to Hawaii in 1860. When plumerias first came to Hawaii there were associated with death. Indigenous? No Endemic? No Invasive? No Other interesting historical, cultural, or ecological information: for some time plumeria trees were banned in Thai homes because the Thai name for plumeria is very similar to the Thai word for sorrow. In china plumerias are harder to find then orchids. In malay folklore the scent of a plumeria is related to vampires.