Leelawadee Plumeria (common name Frangipani[citation needed]) is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. It contains seven or eight species of mainly deciduous shrubs and small trees. They are native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America as far south as Brazil but can be grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The genus, originally spelled Plumeria, is named in honor of the seventeenth-century French botanist Charles Plumier, who traveled to the New World documenting many plant and animal species. The common name frangipani comes from a sixteenth-century marquess of the noble family in Italy who invented a plumeria-scented perfume. Many English speakers also simply use the generic name plumeria. In Persian, the name is yas or yasmin. In India, the name is champa or chafa, in Telugu Deva ganneru (divine nerium), in Manipuri Khagi Leihao . In Hawaii, the name is melia, although common usage is still plumeria. In Sri Lanka, it is referred to as araliya and (in English) as the Temple Tree. In Cantonese, it is known as gaai daan fa or the egg yolk flower tree. The name Leelawadee (originating from Thai) is found occasionally. In Indonesia, where the flower has been commonly associated with Balinese culture, it is known as Kamboja. These are now common naturalised plants in southern and southeastern Asia. In local folk beliefs they provide shelter to ghosts and demons. The scent of the Plumeria has been associated with a vampire in Malay folklore, the pontianak; frangipani trees are often planted in cemeteries. They are associated with temples in both Hindu and Buddhist cultures. In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, and the Cook Islands Plumeria species are used for making leis. In modern Polynesian culture, it can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken. P. alba is the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos, where it is known under the local name Sacuanjoche (Nicaragua) and Champa (Laos). In some Bengali culture most white flowers, and, in particular, plumeria (Bengali, চম্পা chômpa or চাঁপা chãpa), are associated with funerals and death. In the Philippines and Indonesia, Plumeria, which is known in Tagalog as calachuchi, often is associated with ghosts and graveyards. Plumerias often are planted on cemetery grounds in both countries. They are also common ornamental plants in houses, parks, parking lots, etc. in the Philippines. Balinese Hindus use the flowers in their temple offerings. Indian incenses containing Plumeria have Champa in their name, for example Nag Champa Plumeria is not a champa OR its aroma is not similar, but Indian incense having Halmaddi (Alianthus malabarica) resins produce Plumeria-like aroma, which is the main ingredient of Nagchampa incense. In Hindu mythology, there is a saying चम्पा तुझमें तीन गुण - रंग, रूप और बास ; अवगुण तुझमें एक ही कि भंवर न आए पास (Hey Champa you have three qualities color, beauty, and fragrance, but the only thing you lack is that honey-bees never sit on you.) roop tajey to Radhikey, or bhanwar Krishna ko daas, is mariyaadey ke liye bhanwar na aaye pass (the beauty of champa is compared to Radhika, who is wife of lord Krishna and honey-bees are servants of Lord Krishna and this is the reason honey-bees dont sit on the champa flower). However, the champa flower is the Indian Magnolia, and not plumeria. Both lack nectar.[7] in southern India, western ghat (Karnatakas) local people use cream colored plumeria in weddings. The groom and bride exchange plumeria garland at the wedding. It is alternatively called Devaganagalu or DevaKanagalu (Gods plumeria). Red colored flowers are not used in weddings. Plumeria plants are found in most of the temples in these regions. In Sri Lankan tradition, Plumeria is associated with worship. One of the heavenly damsels in the frescoes of the fifth-century rock fortress Sigiriya holds a 5-petalled flower in her right hand that is indistinguishable from Plumeria. In Eastern Africa, frangipani are sometimes referred to in Swahili love poems. Some species of Plumeria have been studied for their potential medicinal value
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:08:08 +0000
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