The Plumeria Flower Is Used Abundantly In Lei Making

The Plumeria Flower...

Although some flowers may have four, six, seven or more petals, the plumeria flower will most likely have five petals and are quite commonly referred to as tulip like. The Plumeria flower has a sweet, pleasant fragrance that is most intense during the early part of the day. A great many different fragrances have been described, but since smell is so subjective and varies for environmental and nutritional reasons, we do not attempt to be comprehensive in its description. We try harder with colors. There seem to be several basic plumeria color schemes: white with a yellow center, yellow, pink, and red. There is speculation that red is a special case of multicolor. Most of the reds can be more properly referred to as red-purple.

Plumeria leaves are generally green. However, when examined closely, they can exhibit remarkable variation that is species and variety dependent. The plumeria is more appropriately considered a tree. In the tropics it can grow to heights over ten meters. A mature plumeria has very strong hardwood and can be safely climbed by the average person so long as the limbs are at least seven centimeters in diameter.

The plumeria's annual growth cycle has evolved to accommodate a dormant period to coincide with months of drought in the arid tropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and Caribbean Islands where it is indigenous. This corresponds to the Winter season in the Northern Hemisphere and permits storing the plant indoors, out of light, out of sight, and out of mind when outdoor weather conditions are likely to include frost or freezing temperatures. While dormant, the plumeria requires no care and most varieties will lose some if not all of their leaves. In Hawaii, the Plumeria flower go dormant during the winter when the temperature fluctuates and becomes colder at night.

Learn more about Hawaiian flower wedding leis, Orchids, Plumeria, Tuberose and more...
or