Clare's Plumeria Links Part II
Identification/Names:
davesgarden.com
I.D.'g a plumeria, if the name isn't known, is very difficult to do both from a picture and even in person. One would have to compare all the characteristics of the unknown to the characteristics listed when the cultivar was first registered. Some characteristics leap out at you -- 'Singapore' has rounded leaf tips; Mardi Gras has a unique petal shape and color; Scott Pratt has dark purple new leaves and holds its leaves upright; Aztec Gold has a strong fragrance of peaches and a large 4" flower; etc. One would need to compare all the characteristics of the unknown -- for example, the leaf shape, the leaf tip, the flower size, the shape of the flower petal, the flower color on front and back, the fragrance, the growth habit, etc. -- to the characteristics of the cultivar that it is suspected to be. Because of variations due to environment, some of these characteristics can vary slightly so, unless D.N.A. testing is done, one could never be sure that they have the exact genetic duplicate of the original cultivar. Furthermore, if a flower is self-pollinated, which happens often with plumerias, the seedling could look very much like the parent, but it is not the genetic duplicate of the parent and could vary in some subtle way. It would be wrong to call the seedling of a parent by the parent's name. Additionally color, shading, fragrance, and even petal shape can vary slightly with changing or different environmental conditions, making identification that much more difficult.
So most plumeria collectors feel that, if you have an unknown, it should remain an unknown or identified by you in some other unique way. If the unknown has characteristics which seem to match a known cultivar, it still should be labeled with a question mark because one still could not be sure if it is that cultivar or a seedling of that cultivar. For example, I have one that is called "Loretta?" If I sold it, traded it, or gave it away, I would want the recipient to know that it may or may not be a "Loretta."
This information is helpful to those who buy, sell, and trade cultivars frequently. It is frustrating to buy a certain cultivar only to find out it is not that cultivar, and sellers can lose credibility quickly for making such a mistake. Keep names straight is also important for those people who are interested in keeping the gene pool pure. Unknown pinks, yellows, rainbows, etc. are no less beautiful than named varieties, and sometimes, they are more beautiful than named ones. To register a plumeria as a particular name with particular characteristics, contact the Plumerias Society of America: www.theplumeriasociety.org and www.theplumeriasociety.org
There are so many more unnamed hybrids out there in the world than there are named ones, and there are actually a lot of named and recognized plumerias which aren't registered with the Plumeria Society of America. Jim Little and Florida Colors, for example, have hybridized many plumerias, which are recognized named cultivars, but none of them are registered with the PSA.
Here is a link in which the characteristics of a plumeria are explained: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu and you can look at the characteristics of the cultivars that are treated.
Fragrance:
Articles:
www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu
www.ctahr.hawaii.edu
Thread: davesgarden.com
Here's a list of cultivars grouped by fragrances that I compiled. Bear in mind that it is a work in progress and that fragrance is subjective and that these groupings were compiled from opinions of the plant owners.
| Lemon/Citrus/Fruity Scent: Apricot Delight - lemon Aztec Gold - peaches Bill Moragne - grape koolaid Celadine - citrus Cool Aid - grape koolaid Duke - fruit punch Dwarf Deciduous - lemon, strong citrus Intense Rainbow - peaches Keane - lemon Kimo - lime Lemon Chiffon - strong lemon, sweeter than Singapore Lemon Drop - lemon scent Pink Kiss - Apricots, Sweet Olive, Osmanthus fragrans Pink Pansy - grape koolaid Singapore - lemon, bitter lemon Thornton Lemon Drop - lemon scent Wave Rage - strong, sweet, and fruity |
Floral Scent: Aloha Dean Conklin - carnation Gold Coast Peach Just Peachy Magnum Opus Nassau Nellie's White - strong honey scent Ruby Gold San Germain - honeysuckle Venezuelan Snowball - strong honeysuckle Blush Pink - strong |
| Classic Plumeria Scent: Celadine Emerson's Pink Nova - very mild Singapore Slaughter Pink |
Rose Scent: Brittney Charlotte Ebert Guillot's Sunset Jeannie Moragne Pink Parfait Vanda Ruffles Vera Cruz Rose, stronger than Guillot's Sunset |
| Gardenia Scent: Charlotte Ebert Dieudonne - mild Gardenia Plumeria King Kalakaua - mild Tahitian Sunset - mild Tomlinson Pink - Gardenia/Magnolia Treasure Isle - mild |
Coconut Scent: Barry's Orange Pink Charlotte Ebert Hurricane Miami Rose Nellie's White - jasmine to coconut Scott Pratt - spicy coconut |
| Spicy Scent: Cancun Dreams - mild Cancun Pink - cinnamon Carmen Grove Farm - nutmeg India - nutmeg Josua Kauka Wilder Kimo - fresh ginger Negril - cloves Scott Pratt - spicy coconut Sundance - strong sweet cinnamon Dentyne Gum |
Strong Unique Scent: Bali Whirl Grove Farm Lemon Chiffon - strong lemon Mele PA Bowman Nassau Ruby Gold San Germain - like honeysuckle Venezuelan Snowball - strong honeysuckle Wave Rage White |
| Most desireable plumerias for fragrance: Aztec Gold Bali Whirl Celadine Charlotte Ebert - hint of almond Daisy Wilcox Espinda - exotic tropical Gold Coast Peach Grove Farm Loretta - exotic tropical Mele PA Bowman, like Singapore but stronger Miami Rose Nassau Pink Pansy - Cotton Candy Singapore |
No scent or very little scent: Fiesta Rainbow Pudica - no scent Puu Kahea |