# Frangipani (*Plumeria rubra*)

Frangipani, also known as Plumeria, has sweet-smelling flowers that are often used in leis. They come in many colors and are perfect for warm places!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Tropical regions
- **Also known as:** Temple Flower

![Frangipani](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424669/objects/4990.jpg)

## Appearance

The Frangipani has five-petaled, waxy flowers that come in white, yellow, pink, red, or vibrant multi-color combinations. Its strong, sweet fragrance is distinctive. It often forms a small, spreading tree or shrub with thick, succulent branches and leathery dark green leaves.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Gentianales
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Genus:** Plumeria

## Interesting facts

- Frangipani flowers produce no nectar, tricking pollinators with their sweet scent alone!
- In many cultures, Frangipani flowers are woven into beautiful traditional leis and garlands.
- The genus name 'Plumeria' honors Charles Plumier, a 17th-century French botanist.
- You can easily grow a new Frangipani plant just from a broken stem cutting!

## Special abilities

- **Scent Beacon:** Frangipani flowers release a powerful, sweet fragrance at night to attract nocturnal hawk moths for pollination.
- **Sticky Shield:** Frangipani has milky white sap that oozes out when cut, containing toxic compounds to deter hungry herbivores.
- **Water Wallet:** Frangipani has thick, succulent stems and roots that store water, helping it survive dry periods.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 200-800 cm
- **Spread:** 200-800 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to Fall, year-round in tropics
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Ello Sphinx (*Erinnyis ello*) — Moths visit flowers for their scent
- **Eaten by:** Tetrio Sphinx Moth (*Pseudosphinx tetrio*) — Larvae feed on Frangipani leaves
- **Parasitizes:** Frangipani Rust Fungus (*Coleosporium plumeriae*) — Fungus causes rust spots on leaves

## Traits

- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Frangipani?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Frangipani?

200-800 cm

### How wide does Frangipani spread?

200-800 cm

### How big are the flowers on Frangipani?

5-10 cm

### When does Frangipani bloom?

Summer to Fall, year-round in tropics

### Is Frangipani edible?

No

### Is Frangipani toxic?

Mild

### What is Frangipani's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Frangipani: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/frangipani)