Melodorum fruticosum
| Melodorum fruticosum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Thailand. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Magnoliales |
| Family: | Annonaceae |
| Genus: | Melodorum |
| Species: | M. fruticosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Melodorum fruticosum (Lour.) Merr. | |
Melodorum fruticosum, the white cheesewood (Thai: ลำดวน), is a plant of the Annonaceae family native to South-East Asia. It is one of the two species considered the national flower of Cambodia. It is also the provincial flower of Sisaket Province, Thailand.
Description
This plant has a cream-coloured flower with a single alternate leaf.[1] It gives out a pleasant fragrance, especially in the evening. It also has medical uses as a tonic and mild cardiac stimulant and hematinic.
This small tree reaches a height between 8 and 12 m. It is very common in Cambodia, where it is often planted as a decorative tree in public parks. Khmer women have been compared to the Rumdul flower in ancient Cambodian literature and folklore.[2]
In Thailand a traditional cookie, also called ลำดวน (lom duom), is made in the shape of the flower.
See also
References
External links
- ลำดวน (Melodorum fruticosum Lour.) (Thai)
- Thaiherb (Thai)