Sphaerocoryne lefevrei

S. lefevrei is a shrub or small tree growing up to in height. It bears cream-coloured, yellow or yellow-brown flowers with three outer and three inner petals, the latter of which close in over the centre of the flower. The species occurs naturally in mixed deciduous forests at elevations of . It is distributed in Thailand's northeast, central and eastern regions, as well as in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. ==Taxonomy==

The lamduan was for a long time known in Thailand by the scientific name Melodorum fruticosum, but the name was later identified as a synonym of Uvaria siamensis, a similar but different plant In Cambodia, the rumduol has been referred to by the scientific name Mitrella mesnyi, ==Cultivation and culture==

The tree is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in Cambodia and Thailand, and its flowers are admired for their pleasant fragrance, which is emitted especially in the evening. The fruit is edible when ripe, and is collected from the forest for consumption. In ancient times, the flowers were used by Khmer people as a scent ingredient for lip waxes. The traditional Thai snack klip lamduan is a shortbread cookie made in the shape of the flower. The lamduan flower also features as an important symbol in the Thai province of Sisaket, as ancient inscriptions attribute the name Dong Lamduan ('lamduan forest') to the surrounding area on the Thai–Cambodian border, a region exhibiting significant Northern Khmer heritage. It is regarded as the provincial tree, the provincial flower, and is featured on the provincial seal and in its official slogan. == Gallery ==

File:Melodorum fruticosum.jpg|Tree at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Thailand File:Thai ลำดวน cookies.JPG|Thai klip lamduan cookies == References ==