White champa, White frangipani
Plumeria alba

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A shrub 2-8 m tall. It has milky latex. The leaves are heavy with deep veins. They roll inwards. The flowers are large and white. They are fragrant.

There are (8) 17-45 Plumeria species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to the West Indies. It grows in coastal thickets and woodlands. It grows well in seaside locations and in drought tolerant. It is salt tolerant

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Anguilla, Asia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Caribbean, Central America, Dominica, East Africa, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Leeward Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, North America, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, USA, Trinidad-Tobago, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Winward Is.

How it is used for food

Flowers are cooked and eaten in fritters.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Champei sa, Champy saa, Fitna, Galaichi, Kshira, Milk wood, Perumal arali, Pohon kamboja putih, Seemai arali, Vella champakam, Veyvi varahaalu, Yasmin-hindi

Synonyms

Plumeria revolutifolia Strokes; and others