This beautifully fragrant tree is Frangipani, Plumeria rubra. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, along with oleander, periwinkle and Desert Rose. It is native from Mexico through Central America to Venezuela, but it has been cultivated so widely that it is now closely associated with tropical gardens throughout the world.

Frangipani usually grows as a small, spreading tree with thick, fleshy branches and an open, sculptural crown. The branches contain a white, milky latex, which may irritate the skin and should not be touched or tasted.

The leaves are large, elongated and clustered near the ends of the branches. During a dry or cooler season, the tree may lose many or all of its leaves, leaving behind a striking framework of smooth, swollen branches.

The flowers appear in clusters at the branch tips. They have five thick, overlapping petals arranged in a pinwheel shape and may be white, yellow, pink, red or combinations of several colors. The blossoms are often strongly fragrant, especially during the evening.

That fragrance suggests nectar, but Frangipani flowers provide little or none. Instead, their scent attracts moths, which may visit the blossoms while searching for a reward and carry pollen between flowers in the process.

Although the blossoms are familiar, the fruit is seen less often. After successful pollination, the tree may produce a pair of long, narrow seed pods joined at the base.

When those pods mature, they dry and split open, releasing numerous flat seeds. Each seed has a papery wing that helps it travel on the wind.

Frangipani flowers have strong cultural associations in many tropical regions. They are used in garlands, leis, religious offerings, perfumes and ceremonial decorations. The flowers may symbolize welcome, devotion, immortality or remembrance, depending on the culture.

The name “frangipani” is traditionally linked to an Italian noble family associated with a scented perfume, while the botanical name Plumeria honors the French botanist Charles Plumier.

This tree is especially well adapted to tropical dry seasons. Its thick branches store moisture, and its ability to shed its leaves helps reduce water loss when conditions become difficult.

Frangipani is therefore a tree of contrasts: bare, almost skeletal branches during part of the year, followed by fresh leaves and clusters of richly scented flowers.

When it is in bloom, the flowers seem to rest at the ends of the branches like carefully arranged bouquets, making Frangipani one of the most recognizable and beloved trees in a tropical garden.