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Glite Dictionary
Plumeria alba

Plumeria alba

8.3
A tall tropical tree with large, sweet-smelling white and yellow flowers
  • noun
  • /pluˈmɛriə ˈɑlbə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : plumeria alba
  • The white and yellow blossoms of Plumeria alba are popular for making leis.

Examples

  • The Plumeria alba has a sweet fragrance that attracts many pollinators.

  • The garden features a beautiful Plumeria alba in full bloom near the entrance.

  • She planted a Plumeria alba to enjoy its fragrant flowers every spring.

  • The Plumeria alba tree blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • She planted a Plumeria alba to enjoy its fragrant yellow flowers in her tropical garden.

  • The garden features a stunning Plumeria alba tree, known for its large, fragrant blossoms.

  • In tropical climates, the Plumeria alba is admired for its beautiful yellow flowers with white centers.

Synonyms

frangipani
vsPlumeria alba
1 9.9

A small tropical tree with sweet-smelling, colorful, funnel-shaped flowers

is specifically a tall, sparsely branched tree with yellow flowers
Plumeria
vsPlumeria alba
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A small tropical tree with fragrant white or pink flowers

is a single species with yellow flowers and a sparse branching habit
West Indian jasmine
vsPlumeria alba
  • US
9.3

A tall tree with large yellow flowers with white centers that smell sweet

is the widely cultivated tropical form rather than a native regional tree
champa
vsPlumeria alba
  • Indian
9.3

A tropical tree with sweet smelling white or pink flowers

is more specific as a tall sparse tree with yellow flowers and white centers
genus Plumeria
vsPlumeria alba
  • Specialized
8.9

A group of tropical trees and bushes with sweet-smelling white or pink flowers

is one species within that genus distinguished by yellow flowers

Surface Forms

Plumeria alba singular
Plumeria albas plural

Morphology

Plumeria + alba

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species): 'Plumeria' names a fragrant flowering tree and 'alba' is a Latin epithet meaning 'white'. If a learner actually knows both constituents (including the Latin 'alba' = white) they can infer it refers to a white Plumeria, but most B1 learners lack knowledge of Latin species epithets and taxonomic naming, so the compositional relation is only partially accessible.

Etymology

Plumeria alba is named after the French botanist Charles Plumier, so Plumeria honours his name and alba is a Latin word meaning 'white'. That's why Plumeria alba refers to the tree famous for its white, fragrant flowers.