Sphaerocoryne lefevrei
In its own language: រំដួល
A fragrant Southeast Asian tree with cream to yellow blossoms
Sphaerocoryne lefevrei is a small tree or shrub from Southeast Asia, valued for its scented cream or yellow flowers. It grows wild in forests of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and is widely planted in gardens. The flower is a national symbol in Cambodia and a provincial emblem in Sisaket, Thailand.
- Chosen as Cambodia’s national flower in 2005
- Fragrant blossoms open in the evening
- Edible fruit collected from the wild
- Symbol of Sisaket province in Thailand
What does Sphaerocoryne lefevrei look like?
This plant grows as a shrub or small tree, sometimes reaching 8 metres tall. Its flowers are cream, yellow, or yellow-brown, with three outer petals and three inner petals that fold over the centre. The blossoms are especially fragrant in the evening. The tree produces edible fruit and is often planted for its beauty and scent.
Where does Sphaerocoryne lefevrei come from?
Sphaerocoryne lefevrei is native to mixed deciduous forests in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It grows at elevations between 50 and 510 metres. The plant has been known by different scientific names in the region, and is sometimes confused with similar species. It has a long history of cultivation, especially in Cambodia and Thailand.
When and how Sphaerocoryne lefevrei blooms
The tree is grown in gardens and public spaces for its attractive, aromatic flowers. It thrives in the warm, humid climate of Southeast Asia, often in forested areas. The plant can be propagated and maintained as a small ornamental tree or shrub. Its fruit is gathered from the wild when ripe.
How Sphaerocoryne lefevrei is used
People enjoy the flowers for their scent, especially in the evening. The dried blossoms are used in traditional medicine and were once an ingredient in scented lip waxes. The fruit is eaten when ripe. The flower is a symbol of beauty in literature and is featured in regional emblems and seals. Cookies shaped like the flower are made in Thailand.
Kinds of Sphaerocoryne lefevrei
Some sources treat Sphaerocoryne lefevrei as the same as S. affinis, a related climbing plant found elsewhere in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, it has also been called Mitrella mesnyi, though this name is not widely accepted. The flower is known as rumduol in Khmer and lamduan in Thai.
What Sphaerocoryne lefevrei means
The flower was chosen as Cambodia’s national flower in 2005. In Sisaket province, Thailand, it is the provincial flower and tree, appearing on official symbols and in the region’s slogan. In both Khmer and Thai literature, the flower is used as a metaphor for feminine beauty. Its name is linked to local heritage and place names.
Questions people ask about Sphaerocoryne lefevrei
Where does Sphaerocoryne lefevrei come from?
This plant is native to the forests of Southeast Asia, especially Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It grows naturally in mixed deciduous forests at low to moderate elevations.
What does the flower look and smell like?
The flower is cream, yellow, or yellow-brown, with six petals arranged in two layers. It gives off a strong, pleasant fragrance, especially noticeable in the evening.
How is this plant used?
People plant it for its beauty and scent. The flowers are used in traditional medicine and were once used to scent lip wax. The ripe fruit is eaten, and the flower is a symbol in literature and official emblems.
What does Sphaerocoryne lefevrei represent?
It is a national symbol in Cambodia and a provincial emblem in Sisaket, Thailand. In literature, it stands for feminine beauty and is linked to local cultural identity.
Good reading and sources
- Sphaerocoryne lefevrei on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Sphaerocoryne lefevrei", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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