# Plumeria

Plumeria is a beautiful flower that smells sweet and comes in many colors. It loves warm weather and is often found in tropical places.

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

![Plumeria](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425930/objects/4945.jpg)

## Appearance

The Plumeria has thick, succulent-like branches and large, leathery dark green leaves. Its iconic, waxy, pinwheel-shaped flowers boast vibrant colors like white, yellow, pink, and red, often with a contrasting central hue, making them visually distinct.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- In some tropical cultures, seeing a Plumeria bloom symbolizes a new beginning or good luck!
- Plumeria flowers don't produce nectar, they trick insects into pollinating them!
- The unique five-petal shape of a Plumeria flower spirals perfectly, like a natural pinwheel!
- You can easily grow a new Plumeria plant from a piece of stem, making them super popular!

## Special abilities

- **Nighttime Perfume:** Plumeria has a powerful, sweet scent that intensifies at night to attract nocturnal pollinator moths.
- **Protective Sap:** Plumeria has a milky, sticky sap that oozes when damaged, helping to deter hungry pests and animals.
- **Waxy Petal Shield:** Plumeria's waxy flower petals help protect them from strong tropical sun and reduce water loss.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 200-800 cm
- **Spread:** 150-700 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Tobacco Hornworm Moth (*Manduca sexta*) — attracted by strong night scent
- **Eats:** Plumeria Borer (*Stenoma catenifer*) — larvae bore into branches
- **Parasitizes:** Plumeria Rust Fungus (*Coleosporium plumeriae*) — causes orange spots on leaves
- **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — widely grown as an ornamental plant

## Traits

- [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance.

## 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 Plumeria?

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 Plumeria?

200-800 cm

### How wide does Plumeria spread?

150-700 cm

### How big are the flowers on Plumeria?

5-10 cm

### When does Plumeria bloom?

Spring to Fall

### Is Plumeria edible?

No

### Is Plumeria toxic?

Mild

### What is Plumeria'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: [Plumeria: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plumeria)