Fagraea berteroana
| Pua keni keni | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Fagraea |
| Species: | F. berteroana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Fagraea berteroana A.Gray ex Benth.
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Fagraea berteriana (orth. var.) | |
Fagraea berteroana (orth. variant F. berteriana), commonly known as the pua keni keni, pua kenikeni or perfume flower tree, is a small spreading tree or a large shrub which grows in the sub-tropics, where temperatures are 10 °C or more. It is indigenous to the Samoa Islands where it is known as the pua-lulu and occurs from New Caledonia to eastern Polynesia.[1] The ITIS database clarifies the spelling of the name ("Published as "berteriana" in honor of Bertero; correctable to "berteroana,"..).[2]
Description[]
The plant has quad-angular branches, blunt tipped leaves, and fragrant 7 cm tubular shaped flowers of creamy white, which become yellow with time.
Cultural use[]
The flowers are popular for making lei. The tree's name, in Hawaiian, means "ten cent flower", referring to the sale price for a lei made from them in the past.
References[]
- ^ Whistler, W. Arthur (1978). "Vegetation of the montane region of Savai'i" (PDF). Pacific Science. University Press of Hawai'i. 32 (1): 89. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ ITIS database entry for Fagraea berteroana
- Pukui & Elbert, Hawaiian dictionary
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- Fagraea
- Flora of the Tubuai Islands
- Flora of Samoa
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