Domain                    Eukarya                                

All organisms in the domain Eukarya have membrane-bound organelles and have a 'true nucleus.' The cells of eukaryotes are typically 10 times larger than the cells of prokaryotes. In the eukaryotic cells there are multiple chromosome and they are linear. Lastly, organisms in the eukarya undergo mitosis as a mean of reproduction. Some examples of organisms in the domain Eukarya range from protists (such as Red Tide), to plants (such as a calla lily), to fungi (such as the deadly parasol), to animals (such as the Humboldt Squid).
                                                                                                                 Where plants fall into the "grand scheme of things."
                                                                                                                     Phylogenetic Tree of Life modified from Eric Gaba via Wikimedia Commons

Super-group             Archaeplastida
All Archaeplastida have two membranes surrounding its chloroplasts, which are the plastids that allow for photosynthesis to occur. This groups includes organisms such as the green algae which you may find in the ocean and the land plants, such as the tree that you may find looking out your window.

Kingdom                  Plantae
The Plantae include organisms like the mosses, the giant Red Woods, and the kiwi fruit. They all undergo alternation of generations as a process of reproduction. Furthermore, they all have chloroplasts and chlorophyll which are the main ingredient for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process which converts sunlight into energy that the plant can use.

Phylum                     Magnoliophyta
The Magnoliophyta, also called the "angiosperms," are known as the flowering plants. Some other examples of angiosperms include lilies (like Lily of the Valley), lemongrass, oaks, and Zizania aquatica, or wild rice. Both monocots and eudicotyledons are included in this phylum. They have true roots, stems, and leaves, as well as seeds that are enclosed by a shell-like coating. Pollen travels from plant to plant by wind, water, or animal dispersion.

Class                      Magnoliopsida
This class includes just the eudicotyledons, dicots for short, which typically have flower parts in either 4's or 5's. The leaves usually have a netlike venation. They exhibit secondary growth which means that as well as growing up, they grow out in girth. Some examples of dicots include maples, sunflowers, and Salvia officinalis, or sage.

Order                       Gentianales
The flowering plants within the Gentianales order have leaves that are opposite or whorled with two or more leaves per node. The flowers are usually "showy" with similar regular shapes and sizes with the petals usually joined. There is variation with the fruits but they typically have numerous seeds, and the ovary is superior in the flower.

Family                     Apocynaceae
Organisms within the Apocynaceae family, also called dogbane family, have fruit in the form of a berry, drupe (like the middle part of a peach, plum, or apricot), or more frequently just 2 follicles (dry, weed-like appearance fruit) opening inward. The leaves are opposite or whorled and rarely alternate, which means that they only have a single leaf attached at one location, or node.

                                                                                                                                         Member of the dogbane family

Genus                       Plumeria
The genus of Plumeria are deciduous shrubs or trees that have branches like candelabra. The fragrant flowers are either white or shades of red/pink. P. rubra typically exhibit red-toned colors, although the colors can vary greatly. Other species include Plumeria alba which have white flowers, and Plumeria obtusa which have yellow flowers. Many morphological characteristics, which are based on visible traits, were taken into account in the Plumeria genus.

Plumeria phylogenetic tree & Houselog's drawing of Plumeria rubra

Species                     P. rubra
The Plumeria rubra is commonly called Frangipani or temple tree. Melia is a Hawaiian term, while rubra derives from the Latin ruber which means red. Frangpani is an ornamental tree with distinctive perfumed scent. The flowers have five, rarely 4, petals. Most are white or pink with yellow in the center. The deciduous tree blooms in June through November, and inhabits tropical climates.


Continue on to learn about the characteristics that have allowed the Frangipani to adapt to its habitat.


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