Plumeria, Fragipani

This is a Plumeria rubra. Plumeria rubra grows as a spreading shrub or small tree to a height of 7-8 m (20-25 ft) and similar width. It has a thick succulent trunk and sausage-like blunt branches covered with a thin grey bark. The branches are somewhat brittle and when broken, ooze a white latex, or sap, which can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. The large green leaves can reach 30 to 50 cm (12-20 in) long and are arranged alternately and clustered at the end of the branches. They are deciduous, falling in the cooler months of the year. The flowers are generally large to medium. Except for some species with small flowers with five petals, stamens, pollen, the female is deep inside. Flower-shaped tube. The stamens and pistils are not female. There are five stamens at the base of the stem. The female flower is deep in the stem. Stamens and female pistils are the same. The colours range from the common pink to white with shades of yellow in the centre of the flower. Initially tubular before opening out, the flowers are 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in) in diameter, and only rarely go on to produce seed - 20-60 winged seeds are contained in a 17.5 cm (7 in) pod.