A Plumeria Tree is also called in many different parts of the world as a Frangipani, a Pagoda, or a Temple Tree. It is commonly known in the Philippines as a Calachuchi Tree. In Thailand, people call it as Lanthom or LeeLawadee and it is Champa in Laos. Despite its flowers’ sweet fragrance and an all-year colorful appeal, the Thai people believe Lanthom as an unlucky flower or tree. The Plumeria or Calachuchi is a tropical tree, therefore, it can thrive in extreme tropical/subtropical conditions in order to flourish. It does best in the full sun or at least a half day exposure to the sun can make the flowers bloom properly.
This tree belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Buddhists and Hindu use this tree in their religious rituals, however, in the Polynesian culture, the flower is worn behind the right ear if a lady is seeking company and behind the left, if the lady is attached already. I wonder if this tree also has some very helpful medicinal properties. There should be some healing attributes of this tree as well — does anyone know?
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