ASEAN National Flowers (Part 1)

Brunei Darussalam'The Simpur' (Dillenia Suffroticosa)

Features :*It has five, yellow and large petals.

*The leaves arelarge.* When blossom, it spread out like an umbrella.

* The picture of this simpur can be seen in the Brunei dollar bank note.* It can usually be seen in the art and design for traditional handicrafts.

*Can also be of medicinal used.

Cambodia'The Rumdul' (Mitrella Mesnyi)

Features :*The colour of this small flower is yellowish white.

* It has a nice smell especially in the evening.*This flower used to be compared to the women of Cambodia in the past.

*Can be seen everywhere in the country.

Indonesia'The Moon Orchid' or 'Anggerek Bulan' (Phalaenopsis Amabilis)

Features:*Indonesia has three National Flowers and this is one of them.

*Jasminum Sombac (Melati) and Rafflesia Arnoldii are the other two flowers.*The Moon Orchid usually blooms in the moist area, and therefor this plant can usually be

found in the lowland parts of Indonesia.

Laos'The Dok Champa' (Plumeria)

Features:*The flower has a sweet scent.

*It comes in many different colours; red, yellow, pink and multiple pastels. * It blooms everyday and can last for a long time.

* The people of Lao represents this plant as sincerity and joy of life.* The flower is usually used in a celebrations for decorations and can be made as a garland

to welcome the guests.

Malaysia'Bunga Raya' (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis)

Features:*Bunga Raya is officially adopted as Malaysia National Flower since 1960.

*The flower has five petals and this is referred as the 'Five Principles of Nationhood'.* The flower is red in colour and this shows courage.

*It can be found almost everywhere in Malaysia.*The plants can be make use for comestic as well as medicines.

ASEAN National Flowers (Part 2)

Myanmar'The Paduak' (Pterocarpus Indicus)

Features:*The people of Myanmar regard this flower as a symbol of strengh and durability.

*As beautiful as it is, it also suggests youth, love and romance. * It plays important roles both in religious and traditional occassions.

*Can be seen everywhere in Myanmar.*The wood of this plant is used to make furnitures.

The Philippines'The Sampaguita Jasmine' (Arabian Jasmine)

Features: * Adopted officially as the National flower of the Philippines in 1934.

*It blooms for the full year.*It is a star-shaped white flower.

*It has a sweet and unique smell and at night the flowers open.*The flowers can wilt in a day.

* The flower represent the Filipino people as purity, simplicity, humility and strength.

Singapore'Vanda Miss Joaquin'

Features: *Singapore has adopted this flower as its National Flower in 1981.

* The most common type of flowers planted in Singapore.*It is a mixture of one flower with another (hybrid)

*It is named after its breeder.The flowers are purple and they bloom throughout the year.

Thailand'The Ratchaphruek' (Cassia Fistula Linn)

Features:* It is a well-known flower in Thailand.

*It is cluster-shaped. *The colour of the flower, which is yellow is regarded as the colour of Buddhism and glory.

*The flower also represent unity and harmony of the Thai people.*When blossoming, the leaves will shed off from the tree, while the beautiful yello flowers

would hang on its branches.*Can be found everywhere in Thailand.

Vietnam'The Lotus'Features:

*Also known as the 'Flower of the Dawn'.*Can be found in the lakes and ponds.

*It symbolises the purity, commitment and optimism for tomorrow.*The beauty of this flower is often mentioned in the Viatnamese folk songs and poems.