Plumeria

Meaning: (A Flower, Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess an irritant, rather similar to that of Euphorbia. Contact with the sap may irritate eyes and skin. Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped, alternate leaves with distinct form and growth habits. The leaves of P. alba are quite narrow and corrugated, whereas leaves of P. pudica have an elongated shape and glossy, dark-green color. P. pudica is one of the everblooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtusa; though its common name is "Singapore," it is originally from Colombia.

Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, however, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar.

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 an Italian noble family (itself literally meaning "breads-breaker(s)" in Italian), a sixteenth-century marquess who invented a plumeria-scented perfume. Many English speakers also simply use the generic name "plumeria". In India, the name is "champa" or "chafa", in Telugu "Deva ganneru" (divine nerium). In Hawaii, the name is "melia" although common usage among all residents 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". For more information on the flower Plumeria got o this site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria )

Origin:  (English, French, Italian, English Nature Name)

Pronunciation:  (PLOO-mir-ee-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Plumeria to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=plumeria)

Gender: Female

 

I was looking through some of my lotions the other day when I was spring cleaning and I noticed one of my lotions was Plumeria. It is a heavenly scented lotion. Also I just bought a Tropical Plumeria Petals candle. I am thinking of using it as a name of one of my characters sisters. It’s not a name I think should be used a real persons name as its sort of odd looking for the real world. The flower itself is really quite pretty.