Melodorum fruticosum

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.

Melodorum fruticosum
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Thailand.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Melodorum
Species:
M. fruticosum
Binomial name
Melodorum fruticosum
(Lour.) Merr.

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]

Traditional Thai cookies in the shape of the flower lamduan

In Thailand a traditional cookie, also called ลำดวน (lamduan), is made in the shape of the flower.

See also

References
  1. White Cheesewood - Melodorum fruticosum
  2. "Romduol - National Flower of Cambodia". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2009-08-23.


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