Vol. 121 (2008): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Ornamental, Garden & Landscape

Identification of the four forms of Plumeria rubra

Stephen H. Brown
UF/IFAS

Published 2008-12-01

Abstract

The number of Plumeria species range from five to 45. Plumeria rubra L. is apparently the source of many Plumeria cultivars. The species is the parent stock for many color variations and many of the named cultivars we have today. In the past, flower colors of Plumeria rubra were considered distinct species but are now regarded as different forms of the same species. All forms have twisted overlapping corollas, much like the blades of a propeller. Forma acutifolia has white flowers and yellow centers. Forma lutea has yellow flowers. Forma rubra has pink flowers with a tangerine-yellow center and forma tricolor has pale yellow-white flowers with yellow centers and a red or pink rim. Forma rubra has the longest flowering days and is the tallest of the four forms. Flowers of forma acutifolia and forma lutea appear earlier in the year than forma rubra but their flowering days are generally shorter.