A Filipino's Flower For The Dead

Philippines is one of the many Asian countries that hold some of the most unique collection of philippine flowers. One flower in particular, is the Kalachuchi flower. The Kalachuchi, or scientifically known as plumeria acuminata, is a type of flowering tree typically found on tropical countries, including the Philippines. So what is the kalachuchi?

Quick Description
Kalachuchi is a small, deciduous tree, standing at 3 to 7 meters. Its crooked trunk bears fleshy, thick branches, and contains a sticky, milky sap. The bark is smooth and papery, while the wood is yellowish-white and soft. The flowers are large, 5 to 6 centimeters long. The leaves are alternate, oblong or oblanceolate, 20 to 40 centimeters long, pointed at both ends, and arranged in a spiral at the ends of the branches. For the flower itself, the flower are large, 5 to 6 centimeters long. They are white or purplish outside and pale yellow within. They are borne in compound peduncled cymes, usually when the tree is leafless.

A Sweet Scent
Typically growing on different provinces in the Philippines, as well as in other parts of Metro Manila, the kalachuchi is much similar to other flowering trees such as the famous Dama De Noche (or Lady in the Night) and Ylang-Ylang flowers, in which these philippine flowers are mainly known for its aromatic scents. The kalachuhi flowers are known to exude aromatic scents that usually fills the whole night. But other than its scent, the kalachuchi flowers are also known for its ornamental purposes.

Ornamental Flowers
Kalachuchi is mainly grown in the Philippines as an ornamental plant, with the flowers as its main attraction. The flowers are supposed to be the source of the perfume known as "Frangipani." Other than the popular and expensive orchids used for funerals, the use of kalachuchi philippine flowers are also popular as gifts in funerals. In the many Filipino culture, giving kalachuchi in funerals is a sign of respect for the family that was left and for the dead. Moreover, local superstition says that the tree put strain on the relationships of those living nearby.

As Medicinal
Similar to other popular philippine flowers, such as Sampaguita and Ylang-Ylang, the kalachuchi also has a variety of medicinal properties. Its bark, which contains the bitter glucoside plumierid, is used as a purgative, emmenagogue, and febrifuge when in decoction. In Mexico, the calcium salt-containing latex is given for toothache, and when combined with coconut oil is used as a remedy for itching.