The Fragrant World of Frangipani

Frangipani is a plant known by two names - frangipani and plumeria. Plumeria is the genus (biological classification) honoring Charles Plumier, the 17th-century French botanist who first discovered the plant.

Frangipani is the name given to a synthetic plumeria-like fragrance created in the 16th century by a “fictional” Marquis Frangipani, and the name stuck when colloquially referring to a group of plants with this strong fragrance. For this article on fragrance, we are going to use frangipani.

There is a strong connection between memory and sense of smell, and frangipani, with its vibrant colors and intoxicating fragrance, will transport you to one of those far away tropical islands like Hawaii. Frangipani was first introduced to Hawaii in the mid-1800s and it holds a special place in its cultural history. The Lei of Aloha, the traditional Hawaiian flower garland, has become the symbol of the Aloha spirit. The leis are garlands of fragrant flowers, usually from frangipani, orchids, and ginger, and the frangipani’s five petals represent love, charity, hope, and devotion.

Frangipani thrives worldwide, grows very well in the warm and humid South Florida climate and has become a tropical symbol of the local landscape. They are favored due to their compact size, large green leaves, eye-catching color, and fragrant flower clusters that bloom from late Spring to early Fall.

Walking around the neighborhood, you can’t miss a frangipani in bloom. It catches your eye, but beyond that, their blossoms offer a spectrum of fragrances unmatched in the world of scents. It is not as straightforward as the fragrance of jasmine. A whiff of frangipani is often described as a blend of spicy, fresh, floral, sweet, creamy, heady, tropical, and intoxicating - there is a scent for every ‘nose.’

We are all familiar with the fragrance of frangipani or plumeria infused in the everyday items we use, such as lotions, soaps, deodorants, potpourri, air fresheners, and massage oils, but nothing can compare with real blossoms. There are over 300 species of Frangipani with their unique fragrances, and synthetic perfume chemists have created a marketable spectrum of frangipani-like scents. 

I started collecting frangipani cultivars for their colors, but its fragrant profile is the ultimate prize. In Southwest Florida, the blooms last only for a week. Here is a highlight on four frangipani that are part of my collection.

Singapore White is a five-petalled flower with a yellow center that blooms in clusters. Considered an evergreen with dark glossy leaves, it is a compact tree and great as a stand-alone specimen. The fragrance can be described as heady, creamy, and buttery. This tops my list for its fragrance. The original tree was located in the front yard of a vacant lot, and I could smell the fragrance from the sidewalk. The lot was sold, and I asked the contractor for a large branch. 

Darwin Red Blood is a late bloomer that features a true blood red flower cluster

with an unforgettable potent fruity aroma and depending on the time of day, you might get hints of spices. The color is unique, and it adds an exotic vibe to any collection. The original tree was torn apart by Hurricane Irma and branches were piled on the sidewalk for vegetation pick-up. My garden friends and I rescued several large branches.

Known for its golden-yellow flowers and striking orange center, Aztec Gold is a visual standout. The flower measures around four inches in diameter with a strong peach-like fragrance. Cuttings came from my friend Donna, who was trimming a mature bush overhanging the sidewalk.

The Maui Beauty is blushing pink with a yellow center and smells fruity, like sweet lemon. A small branching tree, it’s perfect for a small front or back garden. This was part of a cutting swap with garden friends. 

To make the experience last, I usually pick up freshly fallen blooms and float them in a crystal bowl of water, another way to bring the tropics indoors and make the experience last. 

Caution: Frangipani contains milky latex sap in its stem and leaves. This may cause irritation to sensitive skin, so it is suggested that you wear garden gloves when cutting or breaking stems, leaves, or flowers.