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The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 54  stalk or scape several, arising from the basal rosette, erect, slender, much varying in length from 4-25 cm, angled, topped with white, globose, involucral head, 6-9 mm diameter, involucral bracts re fl exed. Flowers minute, numerous, unisexual, with both sexes in the same head. Male fl owers: sepals 3. Stamens 6 in 2 whorls. Female fl owers: petals not prominent. Ovary superior, 3-loculed. Fruit a loculicidally dehiscent capsule. Manee Dheva is con fi ned to the Korat Plateau in northeastern Thailand. It is widespread on the exposed, fl at sandstone rocks in deciduous dipterocarp forest. The plant grows in dense tufts, interspersed between Dusita, Soi Suwanna, Thip Kesorn and Sarassa chandhorn. Flowering occurs during September to December. Conservation of the threatened wild fl ower fi elds in northeastern Thailand The wild fl ower fi elds can be considered as hidden and neglected natural treasures of Thailand. Over the past four decades this plant community, which once extensively covered the sandstone plateau in the northeast, has been diminished or much degraded into scattered fragments. Deforestation, illegal forest encroachment, grazing, uncontrolled wild fi re, and unsustainable development are all responsible for the depletion of the wild fl ower fi elds. In addition, this fragile wetland habitat can be affected by climate changes such as erratic rainfall and global warming. Although the fi ve fl owering plants are widespread, their conservation status can be categorized as vulnerable in Thailand due to the habitat loss at an alarming rate by deforestation and urban development. Lan Dusita was hitherto the only well-known wild fl ower fi eld in Thailand. In November 1999, Her Majesty the Queen spent a few days at the Sirindhorn Dam to visit the local populace in remote areas. In the evening of November 22,1999, she dropped in for the fi rst time at Pha Taem National Park, Khong Jiam District of Ubon Ratchathani Province, to witness an unseen, wide stretch of the vast blooming fi eld, undoubtedly the most extensive and massive wild fl ower fi eld in Thailand. Over the open plain of the grand sandstone terrain in deciduous dipterocarp forest, one can be Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and the Conservation of the Wild Flower Fields in Northeastern Thailand