Golden Padauk Flower (ပိတောက်ပန်း) | Silk Scarf

Padauk (Pterocarpus Macrocarpus), or Myanmar Rosewood, is not only the symbol of Myanmar New Year and Thingyan Water Festival but also the National flower of Myanmar.

The Padauk flower blossoms in tiny fragrant yellow-gold flowers, spreading an aromatic scent after the first showers in April, coinciding with the Myanmar New Year (Thingyan) festival. After one day of blooming, the petals of the flowers wither slowly and gathered on the green grassy field under the tree. It also becomes a heavenly scene for flower lovers. Nobody can overlook this beauty.

Myanmar people regard the Padauk trees as a symbol of strength and durability and as such majority of furniture and wooden structures are made with Padauk Wood.

On the other hand, the Padauk Flower symbolizes love, romance, and youth. The flower plays an indispensable part in traditional and religious ceremonies. Both the tree and flower play a vital role to strengthen Myanmar’s economy.

Padauk (Rosewood) trees grow all over the country of Myanmar and it is native to South Asia, North Australia, South China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Solomon Island, Papua New Guinea, and the Western Pacific Ocean.

There are various species of these flowers. It grows in well-drained soils with salt and fertile loamy preferably in rainforest area. It is an ornamental tree that beautifies roads, gardens homes, etc.

Surprisingly it is a one-day flower.

The flower is used as a source of honey and the leaf brews are used as shampoos. Both flowers and leaves are consumed. The leaves are good for polishing brass and copper. It is also a great source of resin. In traditional medicine, it is used to fight tumors.