1. Introduction
2. What is Stephanotis?
3. Origins of Stephanotis
4. Popularity of Stephanotis Around the World
5. Arrival of Stephanotis in Hawaii
6. Hawaiian Adoption of Stephanotis
7. Meaning Behind the Hawaiian Name for Stephanotis – ‘Pua Male’ or ‘Marry Flower’
8. Care and Maintenance of Stephanotis in Hawaii
9. Benefits of Growing Stephanotis in Hawaii
10. Interesting Facts About the Flower
11. Conclusion

Stephanotis – The Hawaiian ‘Marry Flower’

Gardening experts around the world have long appreciated the beauty and fragrance of the Jasmine flower known as Stephanotis, or sometimes referred to as Madagascar Jasmine, due to its origin in Madagascar. This fragrant flower has become a popular choice for bridal bouquets and lei flowers, particularly in Hawaii, where it has been adopted into Hawaiian culture and is known as Pua Male or ‘Marry Flower’. In this article, we will explore the history and symbolism behind this flower, as well as provide tips on how to care for them so you can enjoy them in your own garden or wedding bouquet!

What is Stephanotis?

At first glance, the Stephanotis flower is easily recognizable due to its unique shape and its star-like petals which contain a strong fragrance that can fill any room with its sweet aroma when cut or when in full bloom. This white flower is actually part of the genus of plants known as Asclepiadaceae, which are found in various parts of tropical climates around the world, such as Madagascar and South America. The most common type of this flower is known as Madagascar Jasmine, which has been widely cultivated and grown around the world due to its attractive shape and strong scent that it produces when cut or when in full bloom.

Origins of Stephanotis

The origin of this beautiful flower can be traced back to Madagascar, where it was first discovered by French botanist Jean Baptiste Bory de Saint-Vincent during an expedition there in 1803, where he noted down his observations about a particular species that he had discovered there – Stephanotis floribunda. From there it quickly became a popular choice for gardens around Europe and North America due to its unique shape and strong scent that it produced when cut or when in full bloom.

Popularity Around the World

The popularity of this fragrant flower quickly spread around the world, with many gardeners growing them not just for their beautiful shape and scent but also for their easy maintenance requirements – they require little water or fertilizer to survive. Additionally they are also very versatile – they are often used as ornamental plants inside homes due to their ability to thrive indoors with minimal sunlight exposure; they also look great when planted outdoors too! Furthermore, they have even been used medicinally by some cultures – some extracts from these plants have been used to treat headaches and other ailments due to their calming properties found within their petals.¹

Arrival In Hawaii

Soon enough word reached Hawaii about this fragrant plant from Madagascar whose beauty was captivating people all over the world – so much so that it soon became a popular choice for lei flowers and wedding bouquets within Hawaiian culture too.² So much so that it was given a special name by local Hawaiians – Pua Male meaning ‘Marry Flower’ – symbolizing not just love but also commitment between two individuals who were about to embark on their journey together into married life.³⁴⁵

Care & Maintenance Of Stephanotis In Hawaii

If you live near an area with tropical climate then you are lucky enough to be able grow your own Stephanotis flowers! Here are some tips on how you can do this:

• Make sure you plant them outdoors in an area where they will get plenty of sunshine.
• Water your plants regularly but make sure not to overdo it since too much water can lead to root rot.
• Fertilize your plants once every few months using a balanced fertilizer mix.
• Prune your plants regularly so that they stay neat looking.

These tips should help ensure that your potted stephanotes plants stay healthy while blooming all year round!

Benefits Of Growing Stephanotis In Hawaii

Apart from being an attractive ornamental plant both indoors or outdoors, there are several other benefits associated with growing these flowers:

• They act as natural air purifiers since their petals release oxygen into the air which helps reduce indoor air pollution levels;
• They attract pollinators such as bees which help contribute towards increased crop yields;
• They require minimal maintenance once established;
• Their scent helps create a tranquil atmosphere;

These benefits make these flowers not just aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly beneficial for both humans and nature alike!

Interesting Facts About The Flower

Here are some interesting facts about these fragrant flowers:

• They have been used medicinally by some cultures.
• They have been featured on postage stamps from various countries.
• They are said to represent fidelity between two individuals.
• Their petals release oxygen into the air.

Conclusion

The fragrant beauty of stephanotes makes it an ideal choice for wedding bouquets or lei flowers in tropical climates like Hawaii, where it has become deeply embedded into Hawaiian culture through its adoption by locals who gave it an endearing name – Pua Male meaning ‘marry flower’ – symbolizing love, commitment and fidelity between two individuals embarking on married life together. With proper care and maintenance these flowers can thrive both indoors or outdoors making them incredibly versatile ornamental plants whose beauty comes only second after its amazing aroma!