Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Plumeria obtusa can grow as either a small shrub or tree ranging in height from 0.9-6.1 meters with widely spaced thick succulent branches that are often covered with “knobby” protuberances. In Hawai`i it is considered semi-evergreen because in hot, dry conditions many, but not all, of the leaves may be lost. The leaves are found in clusters near the tips of the branches. They are large (6-22 cm long and 2-7 cm wide) and have a characteristic oblong shape and the tip of the leaf is obtuse (rounded) rather than pointed as it is in other species. The leaves are dark and leathery and tend to be shiny on the upper surface with conspicuous parallel secondary veins that run from the midvein to the margins of the leaves.
The flowers of this species are borne in inflorescences (clusters) that form at the ends of the branches on a long thick stalk. Each inflorescence contains many white flowers with a small yellow center creating splashes of color throughout the tree. The well known and characteristic Plumeria 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.

(Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and other tropical places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawai`i.)

All Plumeria species are utilized to make lei in Hawai`i and the varied colors of the different cultivated species and varieties make very attractive lei. The flowers are collected and soaked in water for 10 minutes, draining on a paper towel to dry and then strung. The completed lei can be kept for 2 days in the refrigerator. The flowers of Plumeria obtusa turn brown on the tree more quickly than those of other Plumeria species therefore must be collected soon after opening.
(Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and other tropical places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawai`i.)
(College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai`i at Manoa. 2002. Growing Plants for Hawaiian Lei. Honolulu, Hawai`i.)

Plumeria obtusa is native to the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles in Central America. It is widely cultivated in tropical climates including eastern Africa, Asia, and Hawai`i. This species was introduced to Hawai`i in 1931 by Dr. Harold Lyon who established the Lyon Arboretum. The original plant which was provided by the Singapore Botanic Garden is now growing in the Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu. This species is less widely cultivated in Hawai`i than the more common Plumeria rubra.
(Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and other tropical places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawai`i.)

The genus "Plumeria" is named after Charles Plumier, a seventeenth-century French botanist who traveled widely in the West Indies. The species name obtusa refers to the tips of the leaves which are rounded (obtuse) in contrast to other species that have pointed (acute) tips.
Staples, G. W. and D. R. Herbst. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and other tropical places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawai`i.)

Plumeria plants are relatively easily propagated and are predominantly grown from cuttings taken from branches of mature trees which will form roots if planted in well-drained soil if watered regularly. Plants grown from cuttings usually form roots in 2 months and flower within the first year. Plumeria plants can also be grown from seeds and the seeds usually germinate in 4-5 days if kept on a moist paper towel at room temperature. Plants usually take three years to flower when grown from seed.
(College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai`i at Manoa. 2002. Growing Plants for Hawaiian Lei. Honolulu, Hawai`i.)
(Watson, D. P., J. T. Chinn, H. F. Clay, and J. L. Brewbaker. 1965. Hawaiian Plumerias. University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, Circular 410.)

We currently have 8 herbarium specimens for Plumeria obtusa in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 026465 - collected by F. R. Fosberg in 1965
• 001528 - collected by W. M. Bush in 1975
• 031067 - collected by David E. Brussell in 1977
• 003742 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1990
• 039476 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2003
• 040875 - collected by Liloa Dunn in 2003
• 041858 - collected by Liloa Dunn in 2004
• 082572 - collected by K. Perez in 2018