Frangipani

lat. Plumeria rubra (Apocyanaceae)

Group: Flowers

Frangipani Plumeria rubra (Apocyanaceae)

Plumeria, or Frangipani, is a small tree native to Caribbean, Central America, & Mexico. Very beautiful, fast and easy growing, it has spread to all the warm areas of the world, and it feels like it was always a part of its gardens and folklores.

Plumeria is very often associated with exotic tropical islands (Hawaii, Tahiti) and their tradition of making leis to mark the important events such as birthing and dying, love and marriage, social, political, religious, and many other occasions. Plumeria, a newcomer to the old tradition, became the most popular flower for lei making, at least among the tourists.

In some countries in Far East white fragrant flowers have a quite dark reputation: Symbolizing death, they are common on cemeteries, and their fragrance in the night is one of the signs of an approaching vampire.

Perfectly shaped plumeria is like a child’s drawing: Its color nuances vary from white to yellow and pink. The flowers are often very fragrant, the palette of their smells covers lots of nuances: soft, fruity, peachy, and creamy on the canvas of the soft gardenia-like aroma. Similar to Tiare, the scent of Plumeria in perfumes is often paired with other tropical fruits, especially Coconut. The fruity nuances of the flower make it quite natural. You can find Plumeria as a part of the exotic cocktail in Pink Frangipani by Lucy B. According to the founder, the perfume is based on pink Plumeria from Australia.

Is it possible to find the "genuine Plumeria" in a perfume? There are several lines specialized in mono-compositions of different plants, like Italian Monotheme (Frangipane delle Maldive), Aloha Beauty (Hawaiian Plumeria), TerraNova (Plumeria).

An interesting cozy Frangipani with a hint of incense you'll find in Frangipane by ChantecailleI. Frangipanni Gloves is a 100% natural perfume created by Ayala Sender in honor to the Italian marquess Frangipanni who invented the method to scent gloves with Plumeria flowers. In Frangipanni Gloves the flower is paired with a note of leather.

I find the fragrance of the flower very natural and seducing in Frangipani by Ormonde Jayne. The buttery softness of big petals enhanced by citruses is very appetizing. The creator found the right ingredient to add a yellow, yet very delicate nuance to the floral heart.

I am thankful to Mike Pfeiffer, one of the owners of Plumeria nursery from San Diego who invited me to see his flowers (all photos were taken in Mike's nursery) and shared some interesting facts about Plumeria.

As Mike said, Plumeria attracts romantic guys, sailors and surfers, passionate by their nature. They become bewitched by the flower they meet on the Pacific islands, and try to grow it at home. This is how Pacific Plumeria Nursery was started. Mike is a surfer, he fell in love with Plumeria on Tahiti. Now he delights Californians with his colorful Plumerias, some of them crossed by the founder of the nursery.

The admiration of smelling the flower is no less than that of observing it. If you live in the climate with a long and warm summer, you can grow Plumeria in a pot in your garden, balcony, or patio. It doesn't require a lot of work: Plumeria loves full sun, well-drained soil, and little water. It blooms from early summer to fall, and rests during the winter (keep it indoors without watering).

Plumeria smells stronger in the night in order to attract insects for pollination... and she deceives them - seeking for nectar, they find nothing. The crafty Plumeria has no nectar, but virtuously mimics nectar-producing flowers. Poor pollinators go from flower to flower refusing to believe they are fooled, and she gets what she needs. What a flower!

Plumeria propagates most commonly through cutting (about 30 cm). For better root development usually it’s better to pick all flowers and buds after the cutting. Mike prefers to leave his young Plumerias blooming, which is possible because of the blessed San Diego’s climate.

In India Plumeria has been used as the treatment for itches and fevers. It is believed that Mayan people added it for skin treatments. The simplest recipe I found is to add a drop of Plumeria essential oil to Jojoba oil, and massage this mixture into your skin after bath. Even if Plumeria doesn’t work (who will trust her after the fact with pollinators?!), Jojoba works for both and your skin smells heavenly.