The Handbook on Plumeria

ORGANIZATIONS AND SOURCES

Undoubtedly the finest plumeria research station is the University of Hawaii's Waimanolo Research Station on Oahu, under the direction of Dr. Richard A. Criley.

Some of the major collections of the world may be found at the Matrimandir Gardens, Auroville, South India; the Singapore Botanic Gardens; Koko Head Crater near Diamond Head on Oahu (devoted exclusively to plumerias); the Calcutta Botanic Gardens; Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu; the Botanic Gardens on the island of St. Vincent; and the Waimea Arboretum in Haleiwa, on Oahu's North Shore.

THE HISTORY OF THE PLUMERIA SOCIETY

The Plumeria Society of America, Inc. was incorporated in 1979 as a non-profit organization devoted exclusively to research, education, and registration of plumerias. The Society was founded by three dedicated women, Nancy Ames, Nadine Barr, and Elizabeth Thornton, with the aim of furthering the knowledge of all aspects of plumeria cultivation in non-tropical climates. They also wished to convey their love and experience with these magnificent exotic plants that could be grown in containers in all areas of the U.S. and in the ground in the warmest areas of the South and West.

The propagation, culture, classification, identification of species and registration of plumeria cultivars are only a few of the areas in which The Plumeria Society educates and encourages its members to participate. During the past fifteen years the Society has sponsored numerous flower shows, organized visits to members' gardens to study plumeria collections, arranged tours to "Hawaii to observe plumerias in a tropical habitat, and held yearly conferences with seminars given by experts in various fields. The Society awards grants for research on plumerias and has funded projects through the University of Hawaii, University of Houston, and Texas A&.M University.

The Plumeria Society of America offers both regular and associate memberships and publishes a newsletter, "Plumeria Potpourri", which keeps members and associate members informed of the latest developments.

Further information may be obtained by writing to:

The Plumeria Society of America, Inc

 P.O. Box 22791

Houston, TX 77227-2791

The Southern California Plumeria Society was founded by Mr. Henry M. Dupree in 1999. Mr. Dupree serves as President with Mr. Carl Herzog as Vice-President. The society began with 25 members and now numbers almost 100. They meet the last Sunday of the month in Balboa Park, San Diego, and currently have flower shows twice a year.

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