Rumduol Fruit
Sphaerocoryne affinis is a species of flowering plant in
the soursop family, annonaceae. The fragrant flowers of sphaerocoryne affinis
are regarded in Cambodia and Thailand; this plant has a yellowish-white flower
with a single alternate leaf. It has a
height of 8 –15 m and 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.
The rumduol, as it is known in Cambodia, is 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. Several regions in Cambodia are named after
this flower, such as 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; the rumduol is referred to as Popowia aberrans
on botanical signs and as noted by Headley in the Cambodian-English dictionary.
Rumdul is a fruit from South East Asia. However, it is
most famous in Cambodia. This tree has a very fragrant flower which has now
been declared as national flower of Cambodia.
Flowers whiteish yellow, highly scented, fragrance in the afternoons and
evenings can be felt up to quite long distances. Fruits round, 10-12 mm wide,
borne in bunches, nearly black at maturity.
Rumdul are present in almost all the streets of Cambodia.
Pale yellow flowers, plump shape, with 3 wings spread wings facing 3, the
alternating uniform wings. Rumdul fruit when ripe fruit is red –
black is very impressive, attractive scent in the late afternoon and evening,
this is a strong attraction makes people spellbound.
This fruit have very special aroma, sweet scent open up of
kilometers away, so it is used to store oil aromatherapy and healing. Wooden trunk has just provides firewood. Rumdul with rustic beauty, casual, not
eye-catching colours like flowers attract other but have a magic power, can
save images longest, deepest for any public gaze accidentally touch the petals.
It was the aroma, the gentle strokes,
elegant fresh again just add a little humour that Rumdul porcelain flowers have
long become the subject of poetry and music in Cambodia.
Stem of Rumdul can also be used for supplement
construction materials and firewood. In the season of maturing of Rumdul fruit,
people who live close to the forest is always collecting the Rumdul fruits to
sell for living. Due to the attraction
of fragrant smell, therefore, Khmer women have been compared to the Rumdul
flower, and also some Khmer’s author has written some song such as Rumdul
Kraties and Rumdul Pursat, etc.
The rumdul fruit is edible and has a luscious dark red
colour when it ripens. During the season of rumdul fruit, a lot of people set
out to collect this delicious and earthy fruit to sell and make a living out of
it as the fruits are favoured no less than its flowers. Rumdul trees grow in the nature and it’s not
hard to come by one at all, especially in Camdodia. So, next time when you are having a Cambodia
tour, don’t forget to give this fruit a try. You may come to like it just as
the Cambodians do.
National flower of Cambodia - Rumdul. The appealing smell of rumdul can be
recognized from miles away. As a result, rumdul flowers are used to make
aromatherapy oil and essential oil. The tree trunk also provides wood and
firewood to serve people in their daily life. Rumdul has a rustic simplicity, a colour that is
not as eye-catching as that of other flowers but can leave the deepest
impression on people.
As a result, Cambodians like to plant rumdul trees in
park and private houses to decorate. It’s the impressive smell together with the
earthy appearance that makes rumdul flower the common subject in Cambodian
literature and art.
Rumdul is very popular in Cambodia as it represents the
friendly and positive nature of Cambodian people. If you know about the
intriguing history of this country, you will come to admire the positive
attitude of the people and understand why they choose a simple flower with an
impressive fragrance that become more prominent in the evening to be their
national flower. Rumdul are just like Cambodian people –
cheerful on the outside yet sophisticated, when you come to know them.
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