Plant · GBIF taxon 3169674
Plumeria rubra
plumeria rubraAlso known as Frangipani, Red Jasmine, Temple Tree, Pagoda Tree
Plumeria rubra trees produce clusters of intensely fragrant, spiral-shaped flowers that release their perfume primarily at night to attract hawkmoth pollinators. Despite their enticing scent, the blooms offer no nectar reward, deceiving moths into performing pollination services for free. Snapping a branch reveals a thick milky latex sap that protects the plant against most herbivores.
FragrantTropicalFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Frangipani Caterpillar
- Plumeria Stem Borer
- Spider Mites
ThreatsStem rot, excessive frost, frangipani caterpillar defoliation
HabitatsTropical dry forests, coastal thickets, urban gardens
Life span30 to 100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGentianales
- FamilyApocynaceae
- GenusPlumeria
- Speciesplumeria rubra
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Milky sap irritates skin and is toxic if ingested; handle with care when pruning.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains toxic iridoid glycosides and milky latex that cause contact dermatitis and severe gastrointestinal distress if consumed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for thick, swollen branches that leak milky white sap when broken, alongside showy five-petaled flower clusters.
- What to do
- Wear gloves when pruning or collecting fallen flowers, and keep pets away from broken stems.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Enjoy the rich fragrance late in the evening when perfume production peaks.
- Handling: Wear gloves when cutting stems to avoid contact with irritating latex sap.
- Gardening: Plant in well draining soil and full sun to prevent root rot.
Pollinator & Herbivore Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Doug from Troutville, VA, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Family Member Alvesgaspar / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
Family Member (c) Louis Aureglia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Louis Aureglia · cc-by
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