Botanical Name – Plumeria alba L.

Common Name – frangipani, champa

Classification –

• Kingdom – plantae

• Division –Magnoliophyta

• Class – Magnoliopsida

• Order – Gentianales

• Family – Apocynacea                         

• Genus – Plumeria

• Species  - alba

Characteristics Of Family Apocynacea– 

This is also called Dogbane family . Herbs, shrubs and trees, often twining, usually with white latex; leaves are alternate, simple, exstipulate, usually opposite or whorled, entire margin with latex; flowers’ hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, hypogynous; calyx free or united; corolla gamopetalous, 5 lobed, campanulate or funnel-shaped, valvate or twisted; androecium epipetalous, introrse; gynoecium bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, united by the styles only; fruit-follicle or berry; seeds with crown of hairs.

Habitat - Coastal thickets and limestone forests at low elevations and ascending to lower montne areas.

Distribution - Naturalised in Aisa, India : Uttar Pardesh , Madhya Pardesh, Assam.

Status – Least concern

Plant description -

Whites frangipani can grow as either a small shrub or tree ranging in height from 0.9 – 6.1 m with widely spaced thick succulent branches that are often covered with knob by protuerances. 

The leaves are clustered near the tips of the branches. They have a characteristic obovate shape and the tip of the leaf is rounded , rather than pointed as it is in other species. 

The flowers of this species are borne in clusters that at the ends of the branches on a long thick stalk. each inflorescence contains many white flowers with a small yellow center. Flowers contain five petals that are fused at the base in a short funnel-shaped tube which gradually widens as the lobes of the petals are spread out. 

The fruit of this species is a dry follicle which splits along one side to release the winged seeds.

Uses

• The latex from the stem is caustic. It is used for treating ulcers, dartre (skin diseases) and scabies.

• The flowers are bitter and caustic. They are an ingredient in a complex pectoral syrup for treating chest coughs and grippe.

• The seeds are used in the treatment of dysentery (bloody flux).

• A white latex exudes abundantly from areas of damage on the plant. It is used medicinally.

• The root bark is depurative and purgative, causing thirst. It is used in the treatment of blennorrhagia, herpes and syphilis. The root bark is used externally as a lotion on syphilitic ulcers, administered as powder macerated in sugar-water, wine or beer.

• The light brown wood is hard, heavy, and tough. It is used in carpentry where the tree grows to sufficient size. The wood is used for fuel.