Plumeria pudica

Plumeria pudica is a species of the genus Plumeria (Apocynaceae), native to Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. This profuse bloomer has leaves in the shape of a cobra's hood, and its flowers are white with a yellow center.

Plumeria pudica
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Plumeria
Species:	P. pudica
Binomial name
Plumeria pudica Jacq.[2]

There is a variegated leaved Plumeria pudica commonly called Golden Arrow or Gilded Spoon, as well as a pink flowering hybrid produced in Thailand called Sri Supakorn or Pink pudica.

Description

Plumeria pudica is a deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 3 to 4 meters. It is of medium size, its trunk rather thin, branches from the base, into multiple branches that form a dense and slightly flared crown. The leaves are curiously spatulate, long, thick, spoon-shaped, of a shiny dark green. They are toxic like all Plumeria leaves. The white flowers have very little scent.

Biochemistry

Studies on latex proteins from Plumeria pudica have been studied in mice as a potential treatment for periodontitis and use as an antioxidant.^[3]

Common names

• Bridal bouquet
• White frangipani
• Fiddle leaf plumeria
• Wild plumeria
• Bonairian oleander
• Thai champa (Urdu)
• Naag (cobra) champa (Bengali)
• நாவில்லா அரளி ("naavilla arali") (Tamil)

Gallery

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  Growth habit
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  Foliage
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  Flowers
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  Flowers and buds
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  Young leaf
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  Gilded spoon leaf tips
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  Leaves in West Bengal, India
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  Plants and flowers in India
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  Flowers of Plumeria pudica in West Bengal, India.