WHITE Frangipanis, also known as Plumeria, were widely planted in Penang during the colonial days. Their presence, however, has since diminished. This may be due its association with funeral and death.

The flowers were widely used in wreaths, and the older trees are common in graveyards, hence the tree’s nickname “cemetery tree” (pokok kubur).

The Protestant Cemetery along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, where many famous British leaders including Penang founder Captain Francis Light are buried, is shaded with the trees.

One can still find them in the gardens of old colonial buildings, such as Clove Hall Penang, now a boutique hotel.

Apart from adorning gardens, they were used in traditional medicine and as a source of scented oils for perfumes. They have also been used in traditional games by schoolchildren.

Symbolically, the Frangipani represents perfection, peace, calm and a lot more. In Hindu culture, it is associated with loyalty. The Chinese use it to express love, while some Malays associate with evil spirits. The Frangipani is also the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos.

The tree’s five-petalled flower has a nice fragrance, especially during the evenings. Many people still plant the tree today, but prefer the smaller varieties with different colours (red, pink and yellow). They can be planted in a pot first, and transferred to land when they grow bigger.

All in all, it is not hard to imagine why people fell in love with this handsome shady tree with delicate fragrant blooms. Unfortunately, they do not appear to have much of a place in these modern times.  

References

• Penang blooms
• Hidden Penang: Christian cemetery
• The meaning of Frangipani flower

Click through pictures for slideshow.