Читать книгу Flora of Hawaiian Islands. Photo Album 2020 - Romans Arzjancevs - Страница 7

MAUI PLUMERIA

– Plumeria are not native to Hawaii. They were brought here in 1860 by a German botanist. The exotic, introduced flower thrived in Hawaii’s warm climate and volcanic soil, giving rise to the plethora of wonderful varieties born in Hawaii: the magnificent Royal Hawaiian, the deep crimson Hilo Beauty, and the sunset colored Lei Rainbow just to name a few.

– Few flowers hold the allure of Hawai’i more than the plumeria. The huge varieties found throughout the islands make it seem as though they originated here, but in truth they are an introduced species. First discovered in the southern forest regions of Mexico in the mid 1800’s, the plant is also known to indigenous to Central America, India, the Caribbean and Brazil.

– Plumeria have an amazing fragrance that is most intense at night as they lure moths needed to pollinate them. Interestingly enough they produce no nectar, effectively duping the pollinators to move from flower to flower in a fruitless search for nectar.