Plumeria rubra

Frangipani or West Indian jasmine

Frangipani grows best in the hot, humid sub-tropics but is often nurtured and pampered to maturity in some colder regions by determined gardeners. A large, deciduous shrub or small tree with a wide, spreading growth habit, the stems and branches are thick and fleshy, topped with large lance-shaped leaves.

Flowers, consisting of five petals, are produced in abundance during summer and autumn. A wide range of colours, from white to deep wine-red and maroon are available. The individual flowers are often strung together to make garlands to adorn guests arriving at tropical beach resorts.