The Handbook on Plumeria

Nomenclature

The genus, Plumeria, was named after the French botanist, Charles Plumier (1646- 1706), who was the pioneer systematist of the tropical New World flora. This interesting account is from Flowering Trees of the Caribbean: "The genus was named for Charles Plumier, the French ecclesiastic and botanist, who by appointment of the King of France, made three voyages to the Caribbean area in the seventeenth century. It was his countryman, and fellow botanist, Tournefort, .who named the genus for him, since Plumier's records and drawings of West Indian natural life had earned him great respect from his colleagues. Tournefort originally spelled the genus Plumieria, but it is now often accepted as Plumeria."

CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES

The Index Kewensis, originally funded by Charles Darwin, is the most complete enumeration of the genera and species of flowering plants and lists all the species names given to plumerias together with the author and publication in which it is to be found. Most of the listings are found in Tome II, by Hooker and Jackson, with further entries in the Supplements, the latest in Supplement X, 1936-1940, having only one listing.

Woodson's revision of the genus Plumeria (Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gar- den, 1938), recognizes seven distinct species with a few sub-species. He provides a key to the species and lists numerous synonyms described by previous authorities. It is interesting to note Woodson's comment while undertaking the revision: "An evaluation of the species of Plumeria by students unable to gain an extensive knowledge of the plants in the field, among whom the present writer must be counted, is attended by several difficulties. The first of these is the paucity of morphological characters in the flowers and fruits, the relatively few of which have been either unknown to most authors, or ignored by them."

The above statement reflects the need for a future study based on observations of living plants. Although Woodson's work is exceptionally thorough and his research included the examination of numerous herbarium specimens from European and American herbaria, the inability to study flower color and plants in bloom in a leafless condition as well as his own acknowledgement of the imperfections in a surprising number of herbarium specimens lead (50 years later), to the necessity of field study for

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a modern revision. In Hortus Third (1976), only four species are currently described (based undoubtedly on Woodson's study), with descriptions of three additional forms of P. rubra listed.

Although much further data will be needed before authorities will concur on the exact number of species and the parentage behind the bewildering maze of hybrids, we do have a solid beginning with the above mentioned studies. One of our hopes is to have the opportunity some day to complete a definitive work on plumeria species and continue to explore the background of today's hybrids.

Woodson accords separate status as species to the following:

Since this is not a botanical treatise, we will restrict ourselves to non-technical descriptions of plants and flowers as an initial introduction to some familiar as well as lesser known species.

Plumeria alba

Producing white flowers with yellow centers, the habit of this species seems to vary considerably according to the area of the world in which it is grown. Raghuvanshi and Chauhan describe both a large flowered form and a smaller flowered form in their studies of the Apocynaceae in Lucknow, India. The variety described by Watson, Chinn, Clay and Brewbaker in Hawaii is obviously the small flowered form with flowers only an inch or so across. The leaves are light green and glossy, fiddle-shaped with rounded tips. The flowers are borne in loose clusters. The observation that seed pods rarely form on the small flowered variety is interesting since abundant pods form on the large flowered form though the seeds are mostly sterile.

The second form of P. alba has flowers to 2^1/2  inches across, white with a tiny yellow eye at the base of the narrow, recurved and separated petals. The blossoms begin to turn brown a day after they are picked but are delightfully scented. The leaves, in contrast to the first form are dark, glossy green measuring about 7 inches in length and 1 % inches wide. Dozens of mature specimens of this form of P. alba are to be found in sandy soil on the esplanade along the beach in Madras, India, where they grow to a height of 20 to 25 feet.

Plumeria obtusa

There are many variations in this species, each exhibiting unique qualities that set it apart from others. Many of the forms are so different in flower size and leaf shape

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that authorities have classified them as separate species. For example, one form of P obtusa, previously known as P. bahamiensis, has unique lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves that often grow to 1 foot in length but only 1 to 1 Vi inches in width. Its white flowers vary from % inch to 1 ^1/2 inches across, are sparsely produced and mostly hidden within the foliage. This is a small tree with thin branches, usually not attaining a height of more than 25 feet. The follicles average 4 inches long by 1/2 inch across.

plumeria obtusa var. obtusa

Most often called 'Singapore' in the West, its flowers are similar to the above but plants have a more spreading, umbrella-like form and reach 26 feet in height in Hawaii. Again, the flowers are intensely fragrant and borne in large clusters.

Plumeria obtusa var. sericifolia

Described by Woodson and Hortus Third as having the lower leaf surfaces, and often petioles and inflorescences, conspicuously pubescent.

Some of the forms we have studied (which may indeed prove to be separate species) are listed below:

P. obtusa var. — A distinctly dwarf form with a well branched, shrubby habit. This form is most popularly grown in containers throughout India and bears immense clusters of exquisitely scented white flowers with small yellow centers and wide, rounded, slightly overlapping petals. Flowers measure just over 3 inches across and petals are obovate.

P. obtusa var. — This variety is notable in many ways. Of all the obtusa forms we've studied, it has the largest leaves and flowers. The leaves are dark green but a shade or two lighter than the preceeding varieties described; they are oblong, aver- aging 12 to 14 inches in length and just under 3 inches across, with margins that curl upward to form a long "V" shape. Most extraordinary are the flowers which measure approximately 4^1/2 inches across and are once again white and very sweetly scented but have narrow, very widely separated petals forming a large star.

P. obtusa var. — In this variety the dark green leaves are shorter, 11 to 12 inches in length, and wider, to 3^1/2 inches across. The petals too are wider than the above, obovate, rounded and again widely separated. The most striking differences are lovely pink buds that contrast with the pure white flowers, and the sturdiness of the tree that grows to a height of 20 feet spreading to 25 feet with branches so thick and strong they can easily support the weight of a person. Again, the fragrance is enchanting and the flowers are large, 3^1/2 to 4 inches across.

In recent years several remarkable hybrids with P. obtusa parentage have been introduced. According to Chinn and Criley in Plumeria Cultivars in Hawaii, one, Dwarf Singapore', is reported to be an Fl hybrid between 'Singapore' and 'King Kalakaua'. Another, 'Mele Pa Bowman', formerly known as 'Evergreen Singapore

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Yellow', originated as a seedling with P. obtusa s one of the parents. A third, 'lolani' is a hybrid between P. obtusa and P. rubra form acutifolia. All are described in the

chapter on Named Cultivars.

Plumeria filifolia syn. P. stenophylla

A very handsome shrub bearing masses of large, delicate, glistening white flower; with very narrow, widely separated petals borne in sparse clusters above and among the medium green, lanceolate leavesThis species was wild collected in the Dominican Republic. It is growing in Waimaea Arboretum on Oahu and was donated by Keith Wooliams to the Matrimindir Gardens in India. It would seen to have excellent breeding potential due to its dwarf habit, compact growth and ability to produce abundant seeds. Germinition is excellent and seedlings appeal vigorous and true to form.

Plumeria caracasana?

Although there is some question as to the correct name for this species, it is one of the most striking plants we have grown. This variety was also sent to the Matrimandir Gardens by Keith Woolliams from material wild collected in the Dominican Republic. It is so vigorous we were able 10 root and flower it in one year. Index Kewensis lists it in Supplement iv-1906-1913, (by J.R. Johnston in Contrib. U.S Nat. Herb. xii 108 [1908].- Venez.). Woodson lists P. caracasana as a synonym of P pudica. The most extraordinary aspect of the species is its enormous, pendulous flower clusters (to 18 inches across), that hang beneath the branches! The flowers are white, very large, easily to 6 inches across, with extremely recurved and widely separated petals that cascade downward lie masses of ribbons. The dark green leaves are long and narrowly lanceolate.

Plumeria  rubra

This is the progenitor of many of the beautiful named varieties we have today. P. rubra in its various forms, has supplied endless color combinations and exotic fragrances. Both Woodson and Hortus Third agree on four forms of P. rubra.

Plumeria rubra forma rubra

This is the typical form with the corolla predominantly rose of varying intensity and usually with a yellow center. This form is often found in Indian gardens today and is characterized by its heavy peal substance and the unforgettable scent of its flowers which is identical to the coconut hair oil often worn by Indian women or the coconut suntan oil more familiar in the West.

Plumeria rubra forma acutifolia (Poir.) Woodson [Var. acutifolia (Poir.) L.H. Bailey; P. acutifolia poir.; P. acuminata Ait.]

The above authorities and synonyms are cited as an example of taxonomic research, the many names a particular plait may have had, and the changes that occur when new information is developed ff incorrect nomenclature is discovered. Synonyms are listed in a priority order so ye see that P. acuminata Ait. is the last and least accepted, superseded by P. acutifolia, etc. All this to point out that this is

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the famous Frangipani flower with its legendary fragrance! In this form the corolla is  white, usually with a prominent yellow center, sometimes flushed with rose.

plumeria rubra forma lutea

This is a prominent species in Central America and Mexico with large flowers usually 4 to 4^1/2 inches across. The branches, although strong, tend to bend and then curve upward again. Flowering is prolific with large, intensely fragrant, yellow blossoms fading to white at the edge as they mature. Woodson and Hortus Third note that the flowers are occasionally flushed rose or rose-pink on the outside.

Plumeria rubra forma tricolor

In this form the corolla is predominantly white, generally with a yellow center and the outer margins of the lobes rose-pink. Many of the "Rainbow" hybrids have this form in their background.

Plumeria pudica

As described by Woodson: "Leaves subsessile, obovate-oblong, more or less pandurate or cochleate; corolla lobes about half convolute in the bud, longitudinal in aestivation, or scarcely spiral; Colombia; Venezuela; Martinique."

Plumeria subsessilis

Again, described by Woodson: "Leaves subsessile, membranaceous, without a well-developed marginal vein, secondary and tertiary venation extremely pronounced upon both surfaces; flowers white 'with a yellow eye'; Hispaniola."

STANDARDIZED PLANT NAMES

The Standardized Plant Names for the genus as recognized by Hortus III are Frangipani and Temple Tree. The accepted common names for P. rubra L. are Nosegay and Frangipani. P. rubra forma acutifolia is known as the Pagoda Tree.

Nosegay is certainly apt, for what finer bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers could one have than a cluster of plumeria blossoms? Temple Tree and Pagoda Tree are traditionally recognized in the Far East. Frangipani, at least as widely known as all the others, has two fascinating derivations. Woodson, in his Studies In The Apocynaceae writes: "Although known under a variety of aboriginal names, the most widespread Popular name for the cultivated Plumerias in use by Europeans is 'Frangipani' or 'Frangipanier'. Sir ].}. Smith (in Rees, 'Cyclopedia,' 1810), discusses the provenience °f this name as follows: 'The French name of this genus, Frangipanier, is rather remarkable. It is said to allude to its fragrance, Frangipani being a sort of perfume socalled in France from its inventor, an Italian, of the Frangipani family, so conspicuous in the Roman disturbances of the twelfth century.'" Cowen adds: "'Frangipani' is "undoubtedly the commonest name for all these trees, being associated with the very distinctive perfume. Four centuries before the discovery of the Western Hemisphere and of the trees growing there, an Italian nobleman, by combining a number of volatile oils, produced a heady perfume which became, and remained, a favourite with the

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noble ladies of Europe. This easily recognizable scent was at once recalled by the early settlers in the Caribbean when they found trees with the same fragrance. So they called them 'Frangipani', the name of the Italian nobleman." In Flowering Trees of the Caribbean, we find this similar explanation: "One day in Rome in the twelfth century, an Italian nobleman, taking time off from his official duties as bread-breaker of the Holy Sacrament to pursue his hobby, combined a number of volatile oils and pronounced the result his most tantalizing perfume. It proved to be a sure-fire formula and one that not only brought wealth to its makers, but fixed the inventor's name;, which he had given the perfume, in the vocabularies of many nations. The man's name was Frangipani." The Frangipani perfume was of such an enchanting fragrance that it became the favorite of Catharine de Medici.

A second explanation for the common name, Frangipani, concerns the heavy white latex that flows freely from a cut in the tree. French settlers in the Caribbean area noticed this and termed it "Frangipanier" which is French for coagulated milk.

TRADITIONAL COMMON NAMES

There are literally hundreds of common names for the plumeria, some humorous or descriptive, others filled with spiritual meaning, and some woven into the religions or cultural fabric of a people. Here are a few of the more well-known.

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The background of the name, 'Singapore', is interesting. Many years ago a plant of Plurneria obtusa was brought to Singapore from the New World tropics. Years after- rd a plant was taken from Singapore to Hawaii. From then on P. obtusa has been known as 'Singapore' in Hawaii and on the mainland!

Plumeria rubra forma acutifolia is known as Graveyard Flower or Common Yellow in Hawaii and elsewhere as Frangipani.

There is a mental projection when you give a precise meaning to a flower. In can answer, vibrate to the contact of the projection, accept the meaning, but a flower has no equivalent for the mental consciousness. In the vegetal kingdom there is a beginning of the mental consciousness. In the animal it is different: the mental life begins to form and for them things have a meaning. But in the flower it is something like the movement of a baby—it is neither a sensation nor a feeling, but something of both; it is a spontaneous movement, a very special vibration. If you are in contact with it, if you feel it, you can get an impression which may be translated as a thought. That is how I give a meaning to flowers and plants. There is a kind of identification with the vibration, a perception of the quality that it represents. Little by little, through a kind of approximation that sometimes comes all of a sudden and on other occasions needs time, there occurs a close approach between these vibrations, that are of the vital-emotional order, and the vibration of mental thought. If there is sufficient accord, you have a direct perception of what the plant may signify.

The Mother

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