Digital Garden

Plumeria

Champa

Scientific Name: Plumeria

Common Name: Champa

Scientific name- Plumeria

Common name- Frangipani (The name frangipani comes from the name of a 16th century Italian nobleman who created a perfume with a similar scent)

Family-   Apocynaceae

Habit type- Large shrub or small tree 

Geographical Distribution and general features- A deciduous, ornamental tree, highly perfumed flowers, popular as a garden specimen or as street trees. Plumeria is a genus of eleven species of shrubs and small trees in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) native to tropical America from Brazil to Mexico and the Caribbean. Now commonly naturalized in Asia and Pacific Islands, they are often planted in cemeteries or around both Hindu and Buddhist temples. There are hundreds of named varieties. The different species have distinct forms and growth habits. P. rubra is the most commonly found species. Plumeria have widely spaced, thick succulent but brittle branches with thin grey bark and a milky sap that can irritate the eyes and cause dermatitis in susceptible individuals.

Leaves: The stiff, leathery leaves are up to 30cm long and 10cm wide, ovate to oblong with a pointed apex and a prominent marginal vein; leaves clustered towards the ends of the branches.

Flower: The highly perfumed flowers have five petals, white or pink with a yellow centre, about 5cm in diameter and are grouped in clusters at the ends of the branches. Flower colors include pink, red, white, and yellow, or pastel bicolors. 

Ornamental:  Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant