Plumeria obtusa

Plumeria obtusa, the Singapore graveyard flower,[3] is a species of the genus Plumeria (Apocynaceae). It is native to the West Indies (including the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles), southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Florida.[4][5] but widely cultivated for its ornamental and fragrant flowers around the world, where suitably warm climate exists. It is reportedly naturalized in China.[6][7]

Plumeria obtusa
Leaves in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Plumeria
Species:	P. obtusa
Binomial name
Plumeria obtusa L.
Synonyms[2]
List Plumeria apiculata Urb. Plumeria bahamensis Urb. Plumeria barahonensis Urb. Plumeria beatensis Urb. Plumeria bicolor Seem. Plumeria casildensis Urb. Plumeria cayensis Urb. Plumeria clusioides Griseb. Plumeria confusa Britton Plumeria cubensis Urb. Plumeria cuneifolia Helwig Plumeria dictyophylla Urb. Plumeria domingensis Urb. Plumeria ekmanii Urb. Plumeria emarginata Griseb. Plumeria estrellensis Urb. Plumeria gibbosa Urb. Plumeria hypoleuca Gasp. Plumeria inaguensis Britton Plumeria jamaicensis Britton nom. illeg. Plumeria krugii Urb. Plumeria lanata Britton Plumeria leuconeura Urb. Plumeria marchii Urb. Plumeria montana Britton & P.Wilson Plumeria multiflora Standl. Plumeria nipensis Britton Plumeria nivea Mill. Plumeria ostenfeldii Urb. Plumeria parvifolia Donn Plumeria pilosula Urb. Plumeria portoricensis Urb. Plumeria sericifolia C.Wright ex Griseb. Plumeria tenorei Gazparr. Plumeria trinitensis Britton Plumeria tuberculata Lodd. Plumeria venosa Britton Plumeria versicolor Dehnh.

Taxonomy

Plumeria obtusa was described as a new species in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus.[8] Its specific epithet "obtusa" means "blunt", in reference to its blunt-tipped leaves.[9]

Description

Plumeria obtusa is a small tree, growing 3.0–4.6 m (10–15 ft) tall. Infrequently, individuals can grow to be 7.6 m (25 ft). Its flowers are white with yellow throats and each has five petals. The fragrant flowers bloom in clusters. Leaves are dark green, glossy, and up to 20 cm (8 in) long. They are obovate, or teardrop-shaped.[9]

Distribution

Plumeria obtusa is native to the Greater Antilles, Florida, northern Central America and southern Mexico.[5] Cultivation is common in warmer parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and coastal parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Common names

• châmpéi slük tiel Khmer[6]

Uses

This plant is commonly used as an ornamental, grown for its flowers. In Cambodia the flowers are used to make necklaces and in offerings to the deities.[6] In traditional medicine used in that country, a decoction of the bark is given in varying doses as a purgative or as a remedy against oedema.

References

1. IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2020). "Plumeria obtusa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T156770956A156770958. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
2. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved January 30, 2014.
3. "Plumeria obtusa". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
4. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
5. "Plumeria obtusa". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2009-02-01.
6. Dy Phon Pauline, 2000, Plants Used In Cambodia, printed by Imprimierie Olympic, Phnom Penh
7. "Plumeria obtusa in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
8. "Plumeria obtusa Linnaeus, 1753". WoRMS. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
9. "Plumeria obtusa". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 3 October 2019.