Cambodia is home to countless Buddhist temples, scattered across the country. More than 95 percent of the population practices Theravada Buddhism, the official religion of the kingdom.
Shorea siamensis. /VCG Photo
But near the temples, you can often find shorea siamensis, a deciduous tree found in most of Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, the plant is often seen growing near Buddhist pagodas as the legend says one of Buddha's incarnations was born under a shorea siamensis tree. Therefore, the plant is considered sacred in the country's Buddhist culture.
Here are some photos of the large and beautiful flowers of shorea siamensis tree.
About 'Plants & Nations'
"Plants & Nations" is a series of articles and pictures about common plants in the world. It serves as a guide to beautiful plants from different countries.
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The double coconut: The rare-shaped plant from Seychelles
The pomegranate: Symbol of Granada, Spain
Blue water lily: The sacred flower of ancient Egypt
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