The national flower of Cambodia.

In Cambodia, we have so many kinds of flowers that very common in many places like Rumdul flower is the example. Rumdul flower or its scientific name, the Mitrella mesnyi is the flower of the Rumdul tree that has height between 8-12 meters and a stem diameter of 20-30 centimeters. The flower has yellowish-white color with a single alternate leaf. In 2005 this flower was proclaimed as the national flower of Cambodia by king Sihamoni because of its very attractive distinctive fragrance, edible fruit and can be produced some kinds of materials.

The Rumdul flower is small yellowish-white which is well known for its fragrance that can be smelled from a long distance, especially in the late afternoon and in the evening during and after sunset. Due to fragrance of Rumdul flower, Cambodia people like to grow it to decorate their houses or public parks. Anyway Khmer people like to compare the women to the Rumdul flower, therefore, some women is named Rumdul and it is one of the popular names for ladies. Moreover Rumdul has become a part of Khmer literature. It has been written in the poems, novels, and songs in order to compare Rumdul flower to the ladies.

It’s not just the flower of Rumdul but its fruit is also the edible one. The fruits are cluster  dark-red color like the grape when it ripens. Some people collect its fruits to sell to make a living. Cambodian people use Rumdul as material to produce some kinds of the productions. In fact, in the ancient time, people liked to use the Rumdul flower to produce lips waxes for women. Until today they use it as material for the better quality perfume too. The stem of Rumdul is another kind supplement construction materials and firewood. So according to this information, we can say that a part of Cambodian people are making their living with the Rumdul tree and flower.

For today Rumdul usually has been seen in country sides and in the forests. Its fruit’s become rare fruit for Phnom Pen city. It might be either considered as rare or wild fruit for some people; however Rumdul is still a well known plant and famous flower of all Cambodian people. In addition, I think that due to the usages and popularity of Rumdul in Cambodia, that’s a reasonable for choosing it as a national symbol or national flower of Cambodia.

                                                                                                                              by vandara sin