David Cameron meets a pretty namesake in Singapore

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UK Prime Minister David Cameron looks at Papilionanda David Cameron, an orchid that was named after him during his visit to the Singapore Botanical GardensImage source, PA

Prime Minister David Cameron now has his very own flower.

Dubbed the Papilionanda David Cameron, Singapore's National Parks Board, external described the purple orchid as a "strong and upright flowering spray that could bear up to 10 large and attractive blooms".

The special hybrid flower was named after Mr Cameron during the second day of a four-day visit to Asia.

A close up picture of the Orchid Papilionanda David Cameron, named in honour of Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron's state visit to Singapore is seen on display, Tuesday, 28 July, 2015 in the Singapore National Orchid GardensImage source, AP
Papilionanda David Cameron, an orchid that was named after the Prime Minister during his visit to the Singapore Botanical GardensImage source, PA

It is a Singapore tradition to cultivate orchids, its national flower.

The tropical Southeast Asian nation cultivates special orchid hybrids and names them after visiting foreign leaders as part of its diplomatic practice.

Many visiting diplomats including the late South African leader Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana, to more recently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have had orchids named after them.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge smile as they look at an orchid named in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales at Singapore Botanical Gardens on 11 September, 2012Image source, Getty Images
The Vanda William Catherine orchid at Singapore Botanical Gardens during a visit by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of CambridgeImage source, Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard looks at the Orchids named after her, 'Dendrobium Julia Gillard', during their visit at the National Orchid Garden in Singapore on April 23, 2012Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Former Australian leader Julia Gillard also had an orchid spray named after her

Celebrities have also had orchids named after them.

British singer Elton John, who visited Singapore in 2012, had a purple and white orchid hybrid named after him.

British singer Elton John performs on stage during his Universal Music Festival concert at the Royal Theatre in Madrid, Spain, on 20 July 2015Image source, EPA

And stars from the sporting world are also honoured with a floral namesake.

Serena WilliamsImage source, AP
Image caption,

Tennis ace Serena Williams was honoured with an orchid named after her following her win in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals in Singapore in 2014.