Araliya Mal

Plumeria commonly known as Frangipani is a small type of seven to eight species native to tropical and subtropical Americas. Plumeria is related to the Oleander, Nerium oleander, and both possess poisonous, milky sap, rather similar to that of Euphorbia.

Plumeria Rubero

White and Red Plumeria

Plumeria alba

Red and Yellow Plumeria

All mixed Plumeria

Plumeria_(Frangipani)

Each of the separate species of Plumeria bears differently shaped leaves and their form and growth habits are also distinct.

The leaves of P. alba are quite narrow and corrugated, while leaves of P. pudica have an elongated oak shape and glossy, dark green color. P. pudica is one of the ever blooming types with non-deciduous, evergreen leaves. Another species that retains leaves and flowers in winter is P. obtuse, though its common name is “Singapore”, it is originally from Colombia.

Frangipani can also be found in Eastern Africa, where they are sometimes referred to in Swahili love poems. Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The moths inadvertently pollinate them by transferring pollen from flower to flower in their fruitless search for nectar.

Frangipani or Pansal Mal (temple flowers) trees can be seen anywhere in Sri Lanka. They flower all year round and come in a variety of shades, from pure white to deep red, to dark purple. The fragrant flowers, fresh picked in bunches, are used a lot to as offerings at Buddhist temples, which is why people call it ‘Pansal mal.’.

The color of the more abundant variety, yellow, resembles the color of the robes worn by the Buddhist monks, again making it the favorite color of the devotees.

In Sri Lanka and India, garlands made with fresh frangipani flowers are always used to welcoming dignitaries to various functions.

Origin

The genus, originally spelled Plumiera, is named in honor of the seventeenth-century French botanist Charles Plumier, who traveled to the New World documenting his many finds in plants and animal species.

The common name “Frangipani” comes from an Italian noble family, sixteenth-century marques of which invented a Plumeria-scented perfume.

In Mexico, the Nahuatl (Aztec language) name for this plant is ‘cacalloxochitl’ which means “crow flower.” It was used for many medicinal purposes such as salves and ointments.

Other names are ‘Kembang Kamboja’ in Indonesia, “Temple Tree” or ‘Champa’ in India, ‘Calachuchi’ in the Philippines and ‘Champey’ in Cambodia.

In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga and the Cook Islands Plumeria is used for making leis.

In modern Polynesian culture, it can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.

P. alba is the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos, where it is known under the local name ‘Sacuanjoche’ and ‘Champa’. In Bangladeshi culture most white flowers and particularly plumeria are associated with funerals and death.

Animal quotes and jokes

One spring day, a fish was swimming about a foot below the surface of a lake and saw a fly hovering just out of striking distance.

The fish said to itself, “If that fly comes six inches closer, I’ll jump up and have myself a meal.”

Just then, a bear on the shore of the lake looked up and said to itself, “ if that fly gets any closer to that fish, the fish will jump up, and I’ll catch the fish and have myself a meal.”

As luck would have it, a hunter saw what was happening.

He thought to himself, “If that fly moves closer to the fish, the fish will jump, the bear will lean over to grab the fish, and I’ll shoot the bear.”

Just then, a rat was standing behind the hunter saying to itself,” if that fly moves closer to the fish, the fish will jump, the bear will lean over to grab the fish, the hunter will lean over to shoot the bear, and I’ll grab the sandwich from the back pocket of the hunter.

However, unbeknown to the rat, a cat was observing everything and thinking, “If that fly moves closer to the fish, the fish will jump, the bear will grab the fish, the hunter will shoot the bear, the rat will grab the sandwich, and I’ll snatch the rat.”

At that very moment, the fly dropped a few inches, the fish grabbed the fly, the bear grabbed the fish, the hunter shot the bear, the rat grabbed the sandwich, and the cat jumped, missed the rat and landed in the lake. The moral of this story is - if the fly drops six inches the pussy cat will get wet.

Quotes

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals

- Winston Churchill

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms

- George Eliot

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats

- Albert Schweitzer

Jokes

A daughter told her mother: “Right now I saw a healthy white big cat go out from our kitchen”

Mother replied: It is a good sign and a fortune to see a big white cat.”

Daughter replied : “Yes, the fortune is that it has eaten all your food.

Tips for indoor cats

If you are considering getting a cat or kitten as an indoor pet, there are some things you need to consider. Choosing a good cat litter and spaying or neutering your kitten should be on the list.

Choosing a good cat litter is very important, especially if you already have other cats or if you are planning on getting more than one cat or kitten. You will want to find a clumping cat litter to make the task of cleaning the litter box easier. If you plan to have more than one cat, be sure to get a cat litter made for multiple cats.

The placement of the litter box is almost as important as choosing a good litter. Be sure to place the litter box where the cat(s) can get to it but other pets, such as dogs, can not (dogs seem to love eating cat litter). Also be sure to keep it out of reach of small children as they may think it is a sandbox for them to play in. Another option is to get an enclosed litter box which will help keep other pets and children out of the litter box.

Getting your new kitty fixed at an early age is important, especially if you have a male kitten. Once male kittens start to spray to mark their territory, it can bedifficult to get them to stop. Getting your male kitten fixed before he starts to spray should prevent him from doing it. If he does start to spray before you can get him fixed, he may not stop even after getting him neutered.

As with any pet, before accepting the responsibility, be sure you are well prepared. Get all of your supplies first and then get the cat or kitten. Training the kitten to use the litterbox is easy; Just be sure to keep the litter box clean or they may use the bathroom floor for dong their business.

freepettips.com

The funny side

Just a little something that I got about pets and their owners who look well somewhat identical. Reminded me of the first scene in the 101 Dalmatians

Curly curl all the way	Scrappy and Denice the Menace (not his real name but he reminds me him)	Which one is more cute?
Patch and Mr. Black Eye	The eyes, the hair and her dress well all look alike

Best Model

It’s a real dog and not a soft toy

She does have the looks

Caught in the wind