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Conservation Status
IUCN: not evaluated
USFWS: None
Family: APOCYNACEAE Genus: Plumeria Species: stenopetala Species Author: Urb.
Plumeria trees typically grow in a “candelabrum” shape with a single trunk and multiple branches of a similar length that support an open spreading canopy. Plumeria ×stenopetala is a cultivated variety that is a hybrid derived from a cross between Plumeria stenophylla and an unknown parent. The trees grow from 1.8-9 meters tall and are deciduous therefore lose their leaves during long, dry periods. The leaves of Plumeria ×stenopetala are long and narrow. The white flowers of Plumeria ×stenopetala have petals that are fused at the base to form a narrow tube and five narrow lobes that are widely spreading. Faint yellow coloration may be present in the center of the flower.
(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. Univeristy of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, Circular 410.)
The genus Plumeria contains seven species that are native to tropical America. These Plumeria species, and a large number of cultivars developed in artificial breeding programs, are cultivated extensively in tropical regions throughout the world. P. ×stenopetala is a hybrid species derived from a cross between two different Plumeria taxa, although P. stenophylla is the only known parent of this cross and is endemic to Cuba.
Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night to attract hawkmoths which pollinate the flowers. Plumeria flowers do not produce nectar as a reward for pollinators rather attract insects by mimic the visual and odor clues of nectar producing flowers.
(Haber, W. A. 1984. Pollination by deceit in a mass flowering tropical tree Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae). Biotropica 16(4): 269-275.)
Plumeria trees sold as ornamental plants are usually grown from cuttings. Cuttings taken from a branch of a healthy adult plant can be dried and, following callous formation, placed in rooting medium to initial root formation. Root formation usually takes 2 months and these plants will produce flowers after 12 months. Plants grown from cuttings are morphologically identical to the plant from which they were taken.
Plumeria plants can also be grown from seeds however as seed germination and seedling establishment takes longer than development of cuttings plants are less commonly grown from seeds. Seeds usually germinate in 4-5 days if kept on a moist paper towel at room temperature and, when grown from seed, these plants usually take three years to flower. Plants that are grown from seeds may possess unique combinations of morphological characters, such as flower color, that are slightly different from either parent and are therefore an important source of variation utilized in plant breeding programs.
(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. Univeristy of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service, Circular 410.)
We currently have 3 herbarium specimens for Plumeria stenopetala in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.