Plumeria alba is a somewhat succulent, evergreen shrub or a tree that does not have a true crown of foliage, but forms a somewhat vase-shape with a few stout, soft and brittle erect branches ending in clusters of crowded, spreading leaves; it can grow 3 - 8 metres tall. The bole can be 10cm in diameter.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. A very ornamental plant, with clusters of showy and intensely fragrant, tubular and spreading, waxy, white flowers.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitat

Coastal thickets and limestone forests at low elevations and ascending to lower montane areas.

Cultivation Status

Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to partial shade. Succeeds in a range of soils so long as they are well-drained. Established plants are very drought tolerant. The branches are rather soft and brittle and can break, but are usually sturdy unless they are mechanically hit or disturbed. A slow-growing plant, though it flowers at an early age. Plants flower and produce fruit all year round in Puerto Rico.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root bark is depurative and purgative, causing thirst. It is used in the treatment of blennorrhagia, herpes and syphilis. The root bark is used externally as a lotion on syphilitic ulcers, administered as powder macerated in sugar-water, wine or beer. The latex from the stem is caustic. It is used for treating ulcers, dartre (skin diseases) and scabies. The flowers are bitter and caustic. They are an ingredient in a complex pectoral syrup for treating chest coughs and grippe. The seeds are used in the treatment of dysentery (bloody flux).

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

A white latex exudes abundantly from areas of damage on the plant. It is used medicinally. The light brown wood is hard, heavy, and tough. It is used in carpentry where the tree grows to sufficient size. The wood is used for fuel.

Propagation

Seed - Large hardwood cuttings should be allowed to dry several days while leafy tip cuttings should be planted immediately.