Stemmadenia litoralis
 
Common Names: White Milkwood, Lechoso, Milky Trumpet Tree
 
Zones: 10B–11
 
A tropical evergreen tree native to Central America and northern South America, Stemmadenia litoralis is admired for its creamy white, fragrant flowers and glossy foliage. Belonging to the Apocynaceae family, it thrives in warm, humid climates and is often used as a specimen tree in tropical gardens. Its latex-rich sap and trumpet-shaped blooms evoke comparisons to frangipani and oleander, though it remains less common in cultivation.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright; rounded canopy; moderate growth rate
Height: Typically 10–20 ft (3–6 m); compact and manageable
Trunk: Smooth gray bark; branches exude white latex when cut
Leaves: Opposite; elliptic to oblong; glossy dark green; 4–8 in. (10–20 cm) long
Inflorescence: Clusters of creamy white, five-lobed trumpet flowers; intensely fragrant; bloom spring through fall
Fruit: Elongated follicles; paired; contain winged seeds; rarely seen in ornamental settings
Ecology: Native to coastal forests and lowland tropics; attracts pollinators
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates short dry spells
Soil: Rich, loamy; well-drained; slightly acidic to neutral pH
Temperature: Tolerates 35–100°F (2–38°C); thrives in 70–90°F (21–32°C)
Humidity: High; adapted to tropical and subtropical zones
Propagation: By seed or cuttings; latex may inhibit rooting
Tolerance: Sensitive to frost; best suited to protected tropical gardens
 
Landscape Use
Best suited for tropical specimen plantings, fragrant gardens, and shaded patios. Its elegant form and perfumed blooms make it a standout in warm-climate designs. Pairs well with Plumeria rubra, Tabernaemontana divaricata, and Gardenia thunbergia in lush, aromatic compositions.