Plumeria obtusa
| Plumeria obtusa | |
|---|---|
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| Leaves in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Plumeria |
| Species: | P. obtusa
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| Binomial name | |
| Plumeria obtusa | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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List
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Plumeria obtusa, the Singapore graveyard flower,[3] is a species of the genus Plumeria (Apocynaceae). It is native to the West Indies (including the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles), southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Florida.[4][5] but widely cultivated for its ornamental and fragrant flowers around the world, where suitably warm climate exists. It is reportedly naturalized in China.[6][7]
Taxonomy
Plumeria obtusa was described as a new species in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus.[8] Its specific epithet "obtusa" means "blunt", in reference to its blunt-tipped leaves.[9]
Description
Plumeria obtusa is a small tree, growing 3.0–4.6 m (10–15 ft) tall. Infrequently, individuals can grow to be 7.6 m (25 ft). Its flowers are white with yellow throats and each has five petals. The fragrant flowers bloom in clusters. Leaves are dark green, glossy, and up to 20 cm (8 in) long. They are obovate, or teardrop-shaped.[9]
Distribution
Plumeria obtusa is native to the Greater Antilles, Florida, northern Central America and southern Mexico.[5] Cultivation is common in warmer parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and coastal parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Common names
Uses
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.[6] In traditional medicine used in that country, a decoction of the bark is given in varying doses as a purgative or as a remedy against oedema.
References
- ^ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2020). "Plumeria obtusa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T156770956A156770958. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved January 30, 2014.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Plumeria obtusa". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ a b "Plumeria obtusa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ a b c Dy Phon Pauline, 2000, Plants Used In Cambodia, printed by Imprimierie Olympic, Phnom Penh
- ^ "Plumeria obtusa in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org.
- ^ "Plumeria obtusa Linnaeus, 1753". WoRMS. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Plumeria obtusa". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 3 October 2019.