| Singapore Plumeria Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Singapore Plumeria |
| Scientific Name: | Plumeria obtusa |
| Origin | Greater Antilles, northern Central America and southern– eastern Mexico to Belize, Florida Keys and the Caribbean |
| Shapes | Cylindrical seed pods about 3-5 inches long |
| Health benefits | Treat diabetes mellitus and uses as remedy against oedemas |
Plant Description
Singapore Plumeria is a large shrub or small tree that grows about 5-10m high. The plant is best grown in rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained loams. Branchlets are pale green, thick and fleshy. Leaves are alternate, mostly clustered at branch tips, petiolate, obovate to oblong-obovate, to 25 cm long, dark green and shiny adaxially, tertiary venation strongly prominent abaxially and apex rounded. Flowers are large, fragrant, waxy and showy with large deciduous bracts. Calyx 5-lobed, lobes equal or sub equal. Corolla salver form or funnel shaped, white, 4 cm across, throat yellow, lobes 5, spreading, slightly recurved. Stamens inserted at or near base of corolla tube. Fruits are cylindrical seed pods about 3-5 inches long which are rarely formed in cultivation. Stem, branches and leaves consists of milky sap. Plumeria are valued as landscape plants and ornamentals and for their flowers.
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Traditional uses and benefits of Singapore Plumeria
- Plumeria obtusa was used by Bapedi traditional healers to treat diabetes mellitus in South Africa.
- Plumeria obtusa and Momordica balsamina were exclusively used to treat diabetes mellitus, and only in the Sekhukhune District.
- In traditional medicine, a decoction of the bark is given in varying doses as a purgative or as a remedy against oedemas.
Other Facts
- Plumeria species including P. obtusa are suitable for landscape plantings.
- The flowers of all Plumeria species are utilized to make leis in Hawaii.
- The flowers are also used for making wreaths and garlands.
- 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.
References:
http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-161613
https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=30199#null
https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55164/
https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28883
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=f412
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PLOB2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria_obtusa
