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Plumeria obtusa (Narrow Petals)

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Plumeria obtusa (Narrow Petals)

Family Name: Apocynaceae
Common Name: Frangipani, White Frangipani, 鸡蛋花

This cultivar of Plumeria obtusa has abundant white flowers with narrow petals. It can reach up to 8 m tall and blooms throughout the year. It is widely cultivated for its ornamental and scented flowers.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 8 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Of horticultural origin
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree which can reach up to 8 m tall. All plant parts produce white sap when injured.
Foliage The leaves are lanceolate, green and leathery. They tend to cluster at the end of the branches.
Flowers Flowers are white with a small yellow center. The petals are narrow and non-overlapping. The flowers has a sweet scent.
Etymology The genus is named after French botanist, Charles Plumier, who contributed significantly to the botanical exploration of the Caribbean and Central America in the late 17th century. The common name, frangipani, is from the name of an Italian nobleman who produced a perfume with similar fragrance to plumeria flowers.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant
Landscape Uses General, Parks & Gardens, Container Planting, Small Gardens
Thematic Landscaping Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Irritant - Sap

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils
Diseases Root rot can infect plants planted in poorly-drained soils. In Singapore, this cultivar is susceptible to mealy bug infestations and secondary infection of black sooty mold. It is also susceptible to rust fungus disease which infects the leaves.
Pest(s) Sucking Insects
Propagation Method Stem Cutting, Grafting, Marcotting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flowering Period Free-Flowering

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 32972
Species ID 7386
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 09 October 2023.
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