Common name: Frangipani
Botanical name: Plumeria species, most commonly Plumeria rubra
Other common names: Temple tree, pagoda tree
Family: Apocynaceae
General description: A deciduous, ornamental tree to 6m with highly perfumed flowers, popular as a garden specimen or as street trees.
Flowers: The highly perfumed flowers have five petals, white or pink with a yellow centre, about 5cm in diameter and are grouped in clusters at the ends of the branches.
Leaves: The stiff, leathery leaves are up to 30cm long and 10cm wide, ovate to oblong with a pointed apex and a prominent marginal vein; leaves clustered towards the ends of the branches.
Fruit/Berries: The fruit is a two-parted brown pod, 15-30cm long and 1-1.5cm in diameter, splitting horizontally to release numerous seeds.
Other: Plant has copious milky sap.
Symptoms: The milky sap can be a skin irritant in sensitive individuals causing rash and blistering. Ingestion of the sap or bark can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Toxicity category: 2, 3
Warning: Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
