Plumeria

The plumeria flowering plant, also known as 'frangipani', that grows into scrubs and small trees. The plumeria grows five teardrop sized petals and come in various colors. There are more than 300 named varieties of plumeria.

They are most commonly recognized in Hawaiian leis although they are not native to Hawaii. Actually, plumeria is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. They grow as far as Brazil. As well, they grow in tropical and sub-tropical environments.

Plumeria, or frangipani, are named after a 16^th century Italian marquess that invented the first plumeria perfume, but it has many different names in different countries. In Persian its name is 'yas' or 'yasmine', India calls them 'champa', and in Hawaii they're called 'melia'. Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka the plumeria is called 'araliya' which means Temple Tree. They are also the national flowers of Nicaragua and Laos.

Plumeria have cultural significance around the world. In Bengali the plumeria is associated with funerals. Similarly, in the Philippines and Indonesia connect the plumeria to graveyards and ghosts (think of THAT the next time you put on a lei). Plumeria even have a spot in Hindu mythology and Swahili love poetry.

Plumeria are often used in multiple cultures to represent relationships. In India, a bride might wear plumeria in her hair on her wedding day to symbolize 'loyalty'. For Polynesian women, a plumeria flower worn behind the left ear means she's taken, but if she wears one behind he right ear, she's single and looking for love. Even in China, where plumerias are rare, giving a plumeria to a sweetheart means eternal love.  In the language of flowers, the plumeria means 'love long in absent' and is usually connected to a sailor long at sea.

With all of these cultures that celebrate plumerias, its origins are often disputed. Since the plumeria is native to the Americas but holds significant and often sacred meanings in Polynesian and Asian cultures, there are several theories about how they spread there.

The first theory is that Polynesian explorers in dugouts carried the plumeria flower from the Americas to Australia and surrounding islands and from there is spread to Indonesia, India, China, and even Eastern Africa by traders and sailors.

The second theory is that Catholic missionaries to Polynesian and Asia during the 1800s through the 1920s.

Today, plumerias can be found all over the world. I even grow them in my own home! They come in dozens of colors, but most popular are white, yellow, reds, and pinks. There are even purples now too. Breeders from all over the world strive continuously to create more brilliant colors, unique shapes, and enticing scents.