plumeria

[ ploo-mee-ree-uh ]

noun

1. any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Plumeria in the dogbane family, native to tropical regions and having simple, opposite leaves, usually showy flowers, and a milky sap that can be irritating to the eyes or skin; frangipani:

   Plumeria is an important crop in Hawaii, with millions of flowers sold to be used in leis every year.

2. the flower of a plumeria tree:

   The temple courtyard is carpeted with plumeria, the Lao national flower.

Example Sentences

The family ran four stores that catered to tourists, selling aloha shirts and muumuus along with leis that Vierra’s husband, Mike Vierra, would make from plumeria blossoms he picked in their yard.

From Seattle Times

Of the family’s dozen plumeria trees, three survived.

From Seattle Times

Traditional looped lei made of orchids, plumeria, carnations and pikake are also popular.

From Reuters

The sale includes Bakers Acres inventory of bromeliads, tillandsias and gasteria as well as pots, and board members will be selling vegetable starts, succulents, plumeria, pelargoniums and other varieties.

From Los Angeles Times

Buster’s owner has given me two cuttings from the less common dark pink plumeria in his yard.

From Los Angeles Times