Sphaerocoryne affinis

Sphaerocoryne affinis (notable synonyms: Mitrella mesnyi)[1] is a species of flowering plant in the soursop family, Annonaceae. The fragrant flowers of Sphaerocoryne affinis are highly regarded in Cambodia and Thailand.

Sphaerocoryne affinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Sphaerocoryne
Species:
S. affinis
Binomial name
Sphaerocoryne affinis
(Teijsm. & Binn.) Ridl.[1]
Synonyms
  • Mitrella mesnyi (Pierre) Bân
  • Popowia aberrans
  • Unona mesnyi Pierre

Description

This plant has a yellowish-white flower with a single alternate leaf. It has a height of 8–12 m and a stem diameter of 20–30 cm. It gives out an attractive smell in the late afternoon and evening, a distinctive fragrance that can be smelled from a long distance.[2]

Cultural significance

In Cambodia

The rumduol (Khmer: រំដួល), as it is known in Cambodia, is often planted in gardens and parks as it is valued for its fragrance. The flowers are used to make a scented lip wax called kramuon rumduol (Khmer: ក្រមួនរំដួល).[3] Several regions in Cambodia are named after this flower, such as Romdoul District and Ou Rumduol.

In a 2005 royal decree by King Sihamoni of Cambodia, the rumduol was proclaimed the national flower of Cambodia, however this decree references an invalid synonym for this taxon, Mitrella mesnyi.[3] The rumduol is often referred to as Popowia aberrans on botanical signs and as noted by Headley in the Cambodian-English dictionary.[4][5]

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References
  1. "The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet". The Plant List. July 4, 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  2. ASEAN National Flowers Archived 2011-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "ROYAL DECREE on Designation of Animals and Plants as National Symbols of the Kingdom of Cambodia" (PDF). Forestry Administration of Cambodia. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  4. http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=pdb&PdbID=112755
  5. Cambodian-English Dictionary by Robert K. Headley, Rath Chim, and Ok Soeum (1997, Dunwoody Press, ISBN 0-931745-78-0)
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