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Nosegay Wikimedia Commons
Apocynaceae

Nosegay

Plumeria rubra

Devotion and immortality in tropical traditions.

Family
Apocynaceae
Genus
Plumeria
Native to
Mexico, Central America, Venezuela
Bloom season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Type
deciduous tree
Height
15-25 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, sandy
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Also known as frangipani, the name 'nosegay' refers to the old practice of carrying its fragrant clusters to mask foul odors.
  • Despite their enticing scent, plumeria flowers produce no nectar — they trick pollinators with fragrance alone.
  • In Hindu and Buddhist temples across Southeast Asia, the flowers are placed as sacred offerings daily.
  • The milky sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, yet the blooms are used in Hawaiian leis.
  • A broken branch stuck in soil can root within weeks, making plumeria one of the easiest tropical trees to propagate.

Color meanings

0

beauty

1

charm

2

creation

Uses

  • leis
  • temple offerings
  • ornamental gardens
  • perfumery