Common Name: Frangipani

General Information

Plumeria rubra is a deciduous, semi-succulent shrub or small tree with a broad crown that is often as wide as the tree is tall; it can grow up to 12 metres tall in the wild but is usually smaller in cultivation[]. The boles of wild trees can be 25cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is often used as a herbal remedy. One of the most common and best known ornamental trees cultivated in the tropics[]. It is often planted near Asian temples, where the fragrant flowers are picked daily as religious offerings[].

Known Hazards

The latex found in the stems of the plant is toxic but not deadly unless taken in large quantities[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Western S. America - Colombia and Venezuela, through mesoamerica to central Mexico.

Habitat

Dry, hot areas[]. Dry, rocky lowland[]. Rather dry, often rocky forest and mountain slopes, occasionally on plains or in brushy savannahs, usually at elevations from 500 - 1,000 metres, but can be found up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Moths
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Frangipani is a plant of hot, dry to moderate rainfall areas, at elevations up to 600 metres[]. Plants succeed in climates with a pronounced dry season, when they are deciduous and flower on the bare branches, as well as in more humid conditions when they will remain evergreen[].
One of the easiest of trees to grow, it is adaptable to most soil conditions though it prefers a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position[, ]. Plants are very tolerant of salt-laden winds[, ]. Established plants are very salt tolerant[].
The soft, thick branches bleed profusely if broken[]. The branches are fleshy, but brittle[].

Edible Uses

The flowers are eaten in sweetmeats[].

Medicinal

Frangipani contains a number of medically active constituents and has been shown to be uterine stimulant,
antifungal, antibacterial, antitumor, antiviral, analgesic, antispasmodic, and hypoglycaemic[]. The plant contains fulvoplumierin, which has antibiotic activity and inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis[].

The bark is abortifacient and purgative[, ]. The juice of the bark is considered an effective treatment for gonorrhoea and venereal sores[]. The scraped bark is used to treat scabies and wounds from poisonous fish[]. The juice of the bark is also used to treat amoebic dysentery[].

A poultice of the leaves is used to treat muscular swellings[].

The milky juice (latex) is used to treat boils and rheumatic pain[]. It is also applied to remove worms or germs from wounds[]. It is used to treat the pain of toothache[].

The sap is used to treat stings of wasps and bees, as well as centipede bites[].

A decoction of the flowers is used in treating cough, constipation, acute enteritis, dysentery and haemophilia[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers[].
The flowers are used to scent coconut oil[].

All parts of the plant yield a milky latex[]
The tree is supposed to produce a rubber[].

The wood is yellowish brown with faint purplish streaks, giving it a pleasing appearance[]. It is hard, compact and very fine textured[]. It takes a high polish and, although often quire small, is employed in some regions for articles of turnery[].

Propagation

Seed -
Stem tip cuttings[]. Allow to dry for several days before rooting in a cool, shaded position in a well-drained medium kept on the dry side until roots have formed[]. Quite large limbs root easily[].
Layering.

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