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.