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. It is known as the pua-lulu in the Samoan Islands, and as pua in Tonga and Tahiti. It is native to the tropical Pacific, ranging from Queensland and Papuasia (New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Solomon Islands) to Micronesia (Caroline Islands, Gilbert Islands, and Marianas), Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, and parts of Polynesia (Cook Islands, Marquesas, Nauru, Niue, Samoan Islands, Society Islands, Tonga, Tubuai Islands, and Wallis and Futuna). The ITIS database clarifies the spelling of the name ("Published as "berteriana" in honor of Bertero; correctable to "berteroana,"..).

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

It was introduced to Hawaii, where the flowers are popular for making lei. The tree's name, in Hawaiian, means "ten cent flower", referring to the sale price for a single flower in the past.

Gallery