Cambodia is home to some of the most stunning Cambodian flowers in the world. With its subtropical climate and rich soil, it’s no wonder its land is teeming with a great variety of flora.
Flowers in Cambodia are used for a variety of purposes from ornamental to culinary, medicinal, and religious purposes.
Different areas of the country boast a rich selection of flowers that you may be familiar with and some you may never have heard of.
This post will enlighten you on the broad variety of captivating flowers that Cambodia has to offer, from carnivorous flowers to sweet-scented flowers, Cambodia offers it all.
1. Rumduol Flower
The rumdul flower is the national flower of Cambodia. This flower is recognized for its striking appearance and distinctive floral fragrance.
The flower consists of three delicate yellow-white petals that produce a strong but sweet fragrance that can be smelled from a distance.
The widely cultivated flower is commonly used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. The plant also bears a cluster of dark red edible fruit that is widely consumed around the country.
The national flower can be spotted everywhere from parks to restaurants as it is widely used for ornamental purposes.
2. Bruguiera Gymnorhiza
Bruguiera gymnorhiza is a native plant of Cambodia. The plant is characterized as an oriental mangrove tree and is a part of the Phozophoraceae family.
The mangrove species can commonly be found in coastlines and mangrove swamps.
It is a versatile plant that thrives in a variety of soils. Also known as the large-leafed orange mangrove, the Bruguiera gymnorhiza is consists of the largest leaves and flowers of the Bruguiera species.
It’s bright orange, flame-like flowers and large leaves that span 25 cm in length.
3. Siam Tulip
The Siam tulip, also scientifically known as Curcuma alismatifolia, is a stunning tropical flower that is native to Cambodia.
The flowers’ distinctive cupped petals and the flower’s slender tulip-like leaves are what give it its name.
However, the Siam tulip is a part of the ginger family and hence is also commonly called ‘Hidden Ginger.’ The Siam tulip comes in a variety of bold colors and makes for a great ornamental flower.
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4. Tronum Bangkuey
Scientifically known as Dendrolobium baccatum, the tronum Bangkuey plant is characterized as a species of flowering plant that is native to Cambodia.
The shrub-like plant belongs to the Fabaceae (pea/ legume/ bean) family and can be found in the wet forestland.
The tronum Bangkuey is a plant that thrives in wet conditions and grows best in peat, clay soil.
Commonly known as the habitat of lizards, the tronum Bangkuey is widely cultivated for food and fuel. The plant produces delicate white petals that bloom in October and November.
5. Nepenthes
Scientifically known as Nepenthes kampotiana, the nepenthes plant is characterized as a tropical carnivorous pitcher plant.
This unique and beautiful plant can be found in southern Cambodia and it is named after the Cambodian city of Kampot in which the pitcher plant species was first cultivated.
The nepenthes plant can be found growing in dry, hot, and sandy conditions. The nepenthes plant is known for growing rapidly and flowering quickly.
Growing in the ideal conditions of direct sunlight, the nepenthes plant can flower when it is less than 60 cm tall.
6. Amomum Ovoideum
The amomum ovoideum plant is classified as a native herb of Cambodia. This unique perennial plant is a part of the ginger family.
The plant can commonly be found growing in dense forests and the wild. The distinctive plant features soft red spines that bear fruit.
The fruit it produces is characterized as cardamom seed pods which are similar to that of cardamom spice.
The seeds of the plant are cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes. The amomum ovoideum plant is currently recognized as a threatened species due to the effect of deforestation.
7. Aponogeton Lakhonensis
The aponogeton lakhonensis plant is characterized as a species of aquatic plant that belongs to the Aponogetonaceae (pondweed) family.
This species of flower produces distinctive bright yellow-flowered spikes that can be found sticking out from above the water.
The plant blooms in March, May, and September to October. This plant can most commonly be found in ponds, streams, and rice fields.
Native to Cambodia, this aquatic flowering plant is widely cultivated in Southeast Asia for culinary purposes. In Cambodia, the leaves are used for cooking and eating in salads.
8. Chhnok Thma
Scientifically known as Ardisia helferiana. The chhnok thma plant is a unique species of flowering plant that belongs to the Primulaceae (primrose) family.
This delicate flowering plant grows as a shrub and produces beautiful pink, white and yellow flowers.
The chhnok thma plant can be found across Southeast Asia. It is commonly cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes but is also used as fuel.
The shrub plant can be found growing in wet areas such as swamps and forest areas. The plant is used for multiple purposes. The edible fruit is popular for eating and the shrubs’ wood is great for use as firewood.
9. Tep Porou
Scientifically known as Cinnamomum Cambodianum, the tep Porou plant is characterized as a non-scented species of the cinnamon plant.
This species of cinnamon is native to Cambodia and is commonly used for culinary and medicinal purposes and as a source of firewood.
The tep Porou is an evergreen tree that can commonly be found growing on wet soil in forestland.
10. Sapria
The sapria plant, also scientifically known as Sapria poilanei is characterized as a holoparasitic flowering plant as it relies on other living plants for nutrients.
This unique plant is endemic to Cambodia and can be found growing in tropical forest land.
The sapria plant is a member of the Rafflesiaceae family which is made up of 36 parasitic plant species. The sapria plant produces unique flowers that can grow to 20 cm in diameter.
The appearance of the flower is striking as it consists of a bright spore of red, yellow, and white spots with a thick and velvet-like texture.
11. Porpax Verrucosa
The porpax verrucosa plant is a species of orchid that grows from the surface of another plant. This unique species of orchid can be found growing in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia.
The porpax verrucosa plant produces thick, fleshy petals with a warty surface. This plant tends to flower in November and commonly features maroon flowers.
12. Fragrant Aerides
The fragrant aerides plant is scientifically known as Aerides odorata. The plant is classified as a species of orchid that is native to Cambodia.
This beautiful orchid produces sweet floral scented flowers with leathery petals of a variety of green, white, pink, and yellow.
The fragrant aerides blooms from May to September. This species of orchid can be found growing in lowland forest areas and high up in trees.
13. Lotus
The lotus flower is one of the most abundant species of flower to be found in Cambodia.
Native to Cambodia, the lotus flower stands to be a significant symbolic flower. The stunning flower can be found growing along lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Commonly featuring bright and bold colors of pink, red and yellow, the lotus flower is a much-loved flower that symbolizes purity and enlightenment.
It is also a distinctive flower that can be recognized by its sweet fragrance. The lotus flower, its leaves, and roots are commonly used for various purposes including culinary, religious, and medicinal purposes.
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14. Frangipani
Scientifically known as Plumeria, the flowering frangipani plant is a member of the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family.
Classified as a shrub, this plant produces beautiful tropical flowers that come in a variety of shades of pink, yellow and white.
The frangipani flower produces a rich and sweet nectar which makes it a highly popular plant for pollinators such as moths and insects.
Along with its sweet nectar, the flowers of the plant produce a distinctive floral scent that makes the perennial frangipani plant a popular ornamental flower.
15. Bougainvillea
The bougainvillea is a widely cultivated flowering plant that can be found all over the world.
Though native to subtropical regions such as Cambodia, the bougainvillea is characterized as a thick ornamental bush that produces distinctive bright pink and white flowers.
The bougainvillea bush consists of spiky thorny vines and thick clusters of delicate paper-thin flowers that can be found in white, pink, purple, and yellow.
Commonly grown as an ornamental flower, the bougainvillea is a plant that flowers all year round making it the ideal garden flower.
Key Takeaway
This list goes to show the vast variety of flowers that Cambodia has to offer. From the broad spectrum of colors and the rich and sweet scents, Cambodia truly stands to be an oasis for horticulture.
Its climate along with its varied landscape and nutrient-rich soil, make it the perfect environment for nature to flourish and thrive. If you plan on visiting Cambodia, take this list with you and see what you can spot.
