Franginipani

Scientific Name - Plumeria rubra /Plumeria obtusa 
Common Name - Frangipani / White Frangipani
Family Name - Fraginipani Family ( Apocynacae)  

Bark - 

Frangipani 

• Thin skin and brown with green in it 
• Warty at places 

White Frangipani 

• Brown and grey 
• Thin with outer skin 
• Warty from scars of fallen branches 

Leaves - 

• Frangipani 
• Clustered at tips of branches 
• Upto 55cm 
• Hairless and smooth when mature 
• The leaves are darker on top and dull without gloss 

         

White Frangipani

• Upto 35 cm 
• Dark green with soft shine on top and paler without gloss 
• Edges of leaves have tendency to roll under 
• One variety has nearly parallel sides and is densly hairy below 
• The common variety is smooth below but you can see hair on the leaf stalks and along the main rib with a hand lens 

Flower - 
  
Frangipani 

• Strongly scented in loose upright clusters from common stalk 
• Flower turns from pink to deep crimson to white with a gold centre and throat 

White Frangipani - 

• Large terminal clusters from a common stalk.  
• Buds may be tinged with pink but no pink in an open flower. 
• Slightly larger than the flower of the frangipani with narrow petals 
• Petals of the white frangipani scarcely overlap at all 

Fruit - 
Frangipani 
A leathery pod that comes in pairs joined at the centre 
The pods are deep green and slightly shiny,  but in Delhi it not formed even on mature 

White Frangipani 
A pair of pods joined in the centre,  up to 23 cm long 
Dark Shiny and green outside,  studded with brown dots 

Range - 
Found in Mexico,  the Carribean,  Southern USA and Central America 

Habitat - 

• Both varieties prefer hot coastal regions that have a distinct dry season 
• Unlike the White Frangipani the Frangipani is decidous whose dormacy coincides with the dry season.  
• Both do not tolerate frost 

Uses - 

The root of the fraginipani is used as a powerful prerogative and the bark is used to treat fevers 

Legend -  According to Mexican legend, the plumeria flower gave birth to the gods.

Location in Gulmohar Park - Both varieties are common in parks and gardens.