General Information :

• White Frangipani can grow as either a small shrub or tree ranging in height from 0.9-6.1 m with widely spaced thick succulent branches.
• The leaves are clustered near the tips of the branches. The leaves are dark and leathery and tend to be shiny on the upper surface.
• The flowers of this species are borne in clusters that form at the ends of the branches on a long thick stalk.
• The fruit of this species is a dry follicle which splits along one side to release the winged seeds.

Distribution :

• Native to Central America and the Caribbean, it is now common and naturalized in southern and southeastern Asia.

Habitat : Tropical and sub-tropical climates.

Soil : Succeeds in a range of soils so long as they are well-drained

Altitude :Up to 2,000 metres

Rainfall :750 mm to 1500 mm

Temperature : Upto 40 deg C

Terrain : Plains, hills and coastal plains

Tree Characteristics :

• Established plants are very drought tolerant.

Habit : Evergreen Tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Naturally regenerated by seeds.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Artificial reproduction is common by Nursery raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• Flowering and fruiting: March-May.
• Pods are then dried in the sun and broken to extract the seeds and  stored in gunny bags.

Seed Treatment :

• No Pretreatment Required.

Nursery Technique :

• Seeds can be sown in semi-shade, either in nursery beds or in individual containers. When fresh seed is used, a germination rate in excess of 80% usually occurs within 8 - 15 days.
• Seedlings should be placed in individual containers by the time they are 6 - 10cm tall, and are ready to plant out when 7 months old.

Plantation technique :

• Dig pits of 30 cm3.
• Fill up the pits with top soil mixed with 10 Kg of FYM and 1 Kg of Neem cake per pit.
• The seedlings are generally planted in pits having the size of 30x30x30 cm. The most common spacing adopted for plantation is 5m x 5m. On road sides, deeper pits of the size of 45 x 45 x 45 cm are preferred.

Care & Disease Control :

• In early stages weeding is necessary. In second year, soil working is important.

Major uses :

• The flowers, Root, Seed and Latex are used as a medicine.
• Flowers used in Pooja.
• The light brown wood is hard, heavy, and tough. It is used in carpentry where the tree grows to sufficient size.
• The wood is used for fuel.