Fagraea berteroana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pua keni keni
Starr 030807-0071 Fagraea berteroana.jpg
Scientific classification edit
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.)

Pua kenikeni Fagraea berteriana a0002983.jpg
Pua kenikeni Fagraea berteriana a0002985.jpg

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[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ ITIS database entry for Fagraea berteroana
  • Pukui & Elbert, Hawaiian dictionary


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