Enveloped in a cloak of vibrant hues and exuding a regal aura, the intriguing flower stands as a testament to Thailand’s beloved monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. Born on a Monday, the day drenched in a sea of yellow, the king’s color, the blossom takes its radiant cue from his birth. It’s not just a flower; it’s a symbol, a nod to a guardian Buddha aptly named “Phuttharaksa,” translating to a protector who is enlightened.
The floral gem doesn’t just hold one name but is christened afresh with each region it graces. Saunter through the Central terrain, and you’ll hear the whisper of “Sakhu Hua Kha” or “Sakhu Mon” caught in the breeze, while the denizens of the North fondly refer to it as “Phutthasorn.” Traverse to Lampang and Lamphun, and you’ll find locals bestowing upon it the name “Bua Lawong.”
Its beauty isn’t merely for adorning living spaces but extends its gentle touch into the realm of healing. Each part of this magnificent flora boasts a remedy nestled within:
- Its seeds, tiny vessels carrying the power to banish headaches.
- The flowers serve as a balm for the soul, calming the mind, easing blood pressure, stitching wounds, and dispelling abscesses.
- The rhizome, doubling as a culinary delight, also brings relief to coughs and toothaches, and is a warrior against the tribulations of irregular menstruation, tuberculosis, chronic dysentery, and diarrhoea.
- The leaves play the role of peaceful mediators for vomiting, colic, and diarrhoea.
Woven into the fabric of Thai cuisine, the rhizome’s flour transforms into the traditional, delightful dessert known as Sakhu. And beyond Thailand’s borders, the Hmong people honor it by boiling or steaming it for nourishment, whereas the Karen community melds it with sugar creating sweet concoctions.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us take a moment to marvel at the canna (or canna lily)—the lone ranger of the Cannaceae family. With an assembly of 10 distinguished species, this family’s roots lie in the sultry embrace of the American tropics and were carried on the winds of the 1860s to blossom in the soils of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Don’t be fooled by its name; this radiant bloom is not a lily, for it rubs shoulders with the likes of gingers and bananas, camouflaging itself within the Zingeberales group. This botanical actor, versatile in its roles, has been expertly groomed by horticulturists to hold court in even temperate kingdoms, begging for a mere six to eight hours of sun-kissed adoration during summers and a cozy retreat when winters weave their chilly tales.
So there you have it, an exquisite plant that encapsulates globetrotting charm, medicinal prowess, and a slice of Thai royalty—a marvel that paints our world with strokes of nature’s most flamboyant palette.
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