Kunkrao (Scientific name: Fagraea fragrans) is a medium to large perennial plant. It grows in every part of Thailand. During April to June it blooms yellow, great smelling flowers. Other names for Kunkrao are Mun Pla, Tumsao, Masumaiton.
The name is different to the different regions; in the central region it is called Kunkrao, in the northern and northeastern it is called Mun Pla, and in the southern it is called Tumseng or Tumsao. It is considered one of the sacred plants and has good beneficial features. The name Kunkrao means protection from all the bad things from harming us. The name "Tumsao" means blessing for the home pillars to keep the termites, moth and other insects away from the pillars. The "Mun Pla" name is likely to be from its flowers, which look like floating fish fatty in the soup. Especially during the new rice season where the fishes tasted the most fatty and delicious. The Kunkrao looks medium to large, with the high of 15-25 meters, its peels are dark brown, cracked into deep slits unevenly. Its single leaves grow in the opposite of each other with the curvy shape of 2.5 – 3.5 centimeters width and 8-11 centimeters long. The edge of the leave is pointy or slightly long, pointy base, curvy stem, shiny green leave. It has beautiful bushy shape with pointy top. Its flower will start to bloom in white, then slowly turn to yellow with a good scent. Its fruits are small, 6 mm. diameter, orange color, then turn to maroon once ripe with many little seeds. Ecologically, it grows everywhere in mixed deciduous forest and low ground, humid and close by water everywhere in Thailand. It blooms in April – June and produces fruits in June-July. Propagated by seeds.
Kunkrao has its unique beauty and scent. It is also 1 of the 9 kinds of sacred plants, as well as Ratchapruek, Jack Fruit, Chaiyapruek, Thong Lang, Pai Seesuk, Songbandal, teak and Siamese rosewood, which is popular for the use of house building ceremony as a blessing.
ต้นกันเกรา (ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์: Fagraea fragrans)
