There are different species and varieties of Frangipani or Plumeria perfect for coloring balconies and decorating gardens. The strong point of this plant is its flowering: many flowers in pastel shades that can be single-colored or with particular shades.
Frangipane belongs to the Apocynaceae family, it is a tropical plant and its varieties are distinguished by particular and well-defined characteristics.
The leaves can be narrow, elongated or rounded, the flowers, in addition to varying in colour, can also be distinguished by the shape of the petals.
Growing Frangipane at home, regardless of the variety, is recommended in a pot so that it can be moved easily, especially when temperatures drop.
Usually these ornamental shrubs do not exceed two meters in height, while in their natural habitat they can even reach ten meters and become beautiful flowering trees.
In this article we will talk specifically about five species of Plumeria: Pudica , Obtusa , Rubra , Filifolia and Stenophylla and finally we will take a look at the hybrid variety.
Frangipani or Plumeria Pudica
Plumeria Pudica is the variety that takes its name from the Latin term “pudica” which indicates purity in reference to its delicate white flowers . Native to Panama, Colombia and Venezuela, it has thin branches and a trunk that branches from the base.
The flowering is abundant with clusters of flowers that seem to compose a bouquet, hence the name Bridal Bouquet .
The flowers are bright white with a yellow-tinged center and are unscented. The dark green leaves have a particular shape, defined by many as a cobra's hood.
Frangipani or Plumeria Obtusa
Obtusa is one of the Frangipane species dating back to 1753 , its name means “ blunt ” because the leaves have a blunt tip as a characteristic. Native to the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Florida, it gives very fragrant flowers with a greater intensity during the night hours, a natural reminder to the moths that should pollinate them.
The flowers are narrower at the base and have five smooth, delicate white petals ; the centre of the corolla is yellow.
The leaves of Plumeria Obtusa have a petiole , are dark green in color and are present at the end of the branches in an alternate manner. The peculiarity of these leaves is also given by the numerous veins that fill the leaf.
Frangipani or Plumeria Rubra
Plumeria Rubra is the most well-known and most cultivated species in Italy . In Sicily it is called Pomelia and is the symbolic flower of the city of Palermo . It initially presents itself with a fleshy trunk that then becomes woody as the plant grows.
The leaves are arranged in a crown and the very fragrant flowers bloom at the top of the branches and can have five, six or seven petals.
The color of the flowers can be white, orange, yellow, pink or red, much depends on the species of Plumeria Rubra. And this is precisely its peculiarity: the many varieties that between different shapes and wonderful colors make it the most sought-after species.
To name a few: the yellow Plumeria " Afrique ", the red-yellow Plumeria " Adagio " and the white-yellow Plumeria " Bali Whirl " which is the only known species with double flowers.
Frangipani or Plumeria Filifolia
The Plumeria Filifolia variety is native to the rocky areas of south-east Cuba. Its peculiarity is that it has thin , linear, almost thread-like leaves: in fact, they are about 5-10" long and about 1/8" wide.
The flowering is generous and produces white flowers with a yellow centre and a funnel-shaped corolla , the scent is light and delicate.
Frangipani or Plumeria Stenophylla
Stenophylla is one of the varieties that Frangipane collectors seek the most. Its characteristics are immediately noticeable for the leaves that are needle-like and with white and yellow flowers in the center. The petals are five and are thin and delicate .
It is considered among the lowest Plumeria species, it does not grow much in height compared to other varieties and more than the others it does not like the wind much because its branches are very thin .
Hybrid Frangipane Varieties
Among the Frangipane species we could not fail to mention the hybrid varieties that have made this ornamental plant more famous and well-known.
The most striking feature of hybrid Plumerias is their wonderful colors, their shades, and their perfect combinations. There are some Plumeria flowers that seem to have had their petals painted one by one because the combination and the color tones are perfect.
Plumeria hybrids are created especially in Thailand and Hawaii where there is a big business for this plant. But it must be said that even in our country, especially in the warmer climates, the cultivation of Plumeria has reached good levels of production.
Sicily, for example, boasts many nurseries specialized in the rooting and marketing of multicolored cuttings .