What are the alternative names for plumeria? Learn about its common names
Plumeria is mostly distributed in Xishuangbanna, China and some countries in Southeast Asia, and is recognized by Buddhism as one of the "Five Trees and Six Flowers" and is widely planted. However, its cold tolerance is poor, and it sheds its leaves in winter. After the leaves drop completely, the trunk naturally curves like a bonsai, which is also ornamental.
Alternative names for plumeria
Burma frangipani, egg-yolk flower, Indian jasmine, and large-season flower.
Growing habits of plumeria
Plumeria is a sun-loving plant that prefers a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight. Although it can grow in partial shade, its branches tend to grow leggy, resulting in fewer or even no flowers. In a damp, shaded environment, many aerial roots grow on the branches, which looks quite ugly.
Plumeria grows best in deep, fertile, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter, so that the plant can be robust, with abundant flowers and vivid colors. When the soil is poor, plumeria grows poorly, with small flowers and dull colors.
Plumeria has poor cold tolerance. Its most suitable growing temperature is 20~26°C, and the wintering temperature must not be lower than 8°C, otherwise it will suffer cold damage. In the vast towns and cities south of the Tropic of Cancer in China, it can overwinter outdoors. In Central China and North China, potted plants must be brought indoors to overwinter in winter.
Uses of plumeria
1. Ornamental value: Plumeria is deeply loved by people in many regions and countries. In Laos, plumeria is designated as the national flower and is highly revered; in the tropical tourist destination Hawaii, people like to string the picked plumeria flowers into garlands to wear as decorations, so plumeria is also a symbol of Hawaiian festivals. The plumeria tree has a beautiful shape, with many branches and bizarre, varied forms; its leaves resemble loquat leaves. After they fall in winter, semicircular leaf scars remain on the branches, much like antlers dotted with beautiful spots, making it a top choice small tree for tropical landscaping, courtyard arrangement, and potted ornamental display.
2. Medicinal value: The flowers of plumeria can be used as medicine, with effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, clearing the intestines and stopping diarrhea, and relieving cough and resolving phlegm. They are used to treat heatstroke, dysentery, abdominal pain, and cough. The bark is thin and grayish green, rich in toxic white sap, and can be used for external application to treat scabies, redness and swelling, and other conditions.
3. Plumeria tea: Fresh flowers can be dried in the sun for brewing tea, commonly known as plumeria tea. Plumeria is one of the five flowers in Guangdong's famous herbal tea "Five-Flower Tea". It is cool in nature and sweet and bland in taste; it enters the large intestine and stomach meridians and has the effects of moistening the lungs and detoxifying, clearing heat and removing dampness, and lubricating the intestines.
4. Other uses: Besides white plumeria, there are also red and yellow varieties. All can have essential oils extracted for making high-grade cosmetics, soap, and food additives, with rather high prices and great commercial development potential; they also have the effects of treating heat dysentery and moistening the lungs and detoxifying. The wood is white, light, and soft, and can be used to make musical instruments, tableware, or furniture.
Flower language of plumeria
Breeding hope, resurrection, new life.
Plumeria blooms from May to October each year. Although it has no mysterious legends, no elegant temperament, and no noble posture, it has a simple appearance, and it is this simplicity that makes people feel even more hopeful.
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