The Caribbean is home to an extraordinary diversity of tropical flowers, and many countries and territories in the region have adopted flowers as national or territorial symbols. From Jamaica’s lignum vitae and Barbados’ Pride of Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago’s chaconia, these plants reflect aspects of the region’s natural heritage, history, and cultural identity.

However, the status of these floral symbols varies. Some are officially recognized national flowers, while others are traditional or widely associated floral emblems of a particular island or territory.

In this guide, you’ll discover national flowers and prominent floral symbols associated with Caribbean countries and territories, along with their botanical names and cultural significance.

Flower Lovers Want to Know

Do all Caribbean countries and territories have an official national flower?

No. Many Caribbean countries and territories have officially recognized national or territorial flowers, while others are associated with floral symbols whose official status may be less clearly documented. For this reason, it is useful to distinguish between formally designated national flowers and widely recognized floral emblems.

What are some of the best-known national flowers of the Caribbean?

Well-known examples include Jamaica’s lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale), Barbados’ Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), Belize’s black orchid (Prosthechea cochleata), the Dominican Republic’s Bayahibe rose (Leuenbergeria quisqueyana), and Trinidad and Tobago’s chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea).

Why do Caribbean countries choose national flowers?

National flowers can represent a country’s natural heritage, history, culture, or national identity. Some are native plants closely associated with the local landscape, while others have acquired cultural or historical importance over time. The reasons for designation vary from one country or territory to another.

Are all Caribbean national flowers native to the places they represent?

No. A flower does not have to be native to a country to become an important national or cultural symbol. Some Caribbean floral emblems are native plants, while others originated elsewhere but became closely associated with the islands through cultivation, history, or tradition.

What is Jamaica’s national flower?

Jamaica’s national flower is the lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale). Its name means “wood of life,” a reference to the historical medicinal uses associated with the tree. It produces distinctive blue to violet-blue flowers and is native to the Caribbean and other parts of tropical America.

What is the national flower of Trinidad and Tobago?

The national flower of Trinidad and Tobago is the chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea), a native plant known for its striking red flower clusters. Its name honors Don José María Chacón, the last Spanish governor of Trinidad.

Which Caribbean country has an orchid as its national flower?

Belize recognizes the black orchid as its national flower. Commonly identified as Prosthechea cochleata, the orchid has distinctive dark purple-brown structures surrounding a pale greenish-yellow portion of the flower. The Cayman Islands also recognize a wild banana orchid as their national flower.

Does Saint Lucia have more than one national flower?

Yes. Saint Lucia recognizes two national flowers: the rose and the marguerite. The flowers are associated with two historic cultural societies, La Rose and La Marguerite, whose traditions are celebrated through annual flower festivals.

National Flowers and Floral Symbols of Caribbean Countries and Territories

From Jamaica’s blue-flowered lignum vitae to the spectacular giant water lily of Guyana and the brilliant red chaconia of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean floral symbols are remarkably diverse. Some are officially designated national flowers, while others are closely associated with particular islands or territories through history and tradition.

The list below explores these flowers country by country, including their botanical names, distinctive characteristics, and cultural connections.

Caribbean National Flowers at a Glance

Country/Territory	National Flower or Floral Symbol	Botanical Name	Status
Anguilla	White Cedar	Tabebuia heterophylla	National flower
Antigua and Barbuda	Dagger Log	Agave karatto	National flower
Aruba	Wanglo	Tribulus cistoides	National flower
The Bahamas	Yellow Elder	Tecoma stans	National flower
Barbados	Pride of Barbados	Caesalpinia pulcherrima	National flower
Belize	Black Orchid	Prosthechea cochleata	National flower
Bonaire	Kibrahacha	Handroanthus billbergii	Floral symbol
British Virgin Islands	White Cedar	Tabebuia heterophylla	Territorial flower
Cayman Islands	Wild Banana Orchid	Myrmecophila thomsoniana	National flower
Cuba	Mariposa	Hedychium coronarium	National flower
Curaçao	Kibrahacha	Handroanthus billbergii	Floral symbol
Dominica	Bwa Kwaib	Sabinea carinalis	National flower
Dominican Republic	Bayahibe Rose	Leuenbergeria quisqueyana	National flower
Grenada	Bougainvillea	Bougainvillea spp.	National flower
Guadeloupe	—	—	No official flower confirmed
Guyana	Victoria Regia	Victoria amazonica	National flower
Haiti	Hibiscus	Hibiscus spp.	Widely associated floral symbol
Jamaica	Lignum Vitae	Guaiacum officinale	National flower
Martinique	Heliconia	Heliconia spp.	Associated floral symbol
Montserrat	Red Heliconia	Heliconia spp.	National flower
Puerto Rico	Flor de Maga	Thespesia grandiflora	Floral emblem
Saint Barthélemy	—	—	No official flower confirmed
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Poinciana / Flamboyant	Delonix regia	National flower
Saint Lucia	Rose and Marguerite	Rosa spp. / Argyranthemum spp.	National flowers
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Soufrière Tree	Spachea perforata	National flower
Sint Maarten	Yellow Sage	Lantana camara	National flower
Suriname	Ixora	Ixora spp.	Widely associated floral symbol
Trinidad and Tobago	Chaconia	Warszewiczia coccinea	National flower
Turks and Caicos Islands	Turks and Caicos Heather	Limonium bahamense	National flower
U.S. Virgin Islands	Yellow Cedar	Tecoma stans	Floral symbol

Cultural Significance of Caribbean Floral Symbols

National flowers and floral emblems can reflect a country’s natural heritage, history, and cultural identity. Some represent plants native to the region, while others have become closely associated with an island through cultivation, tradition, or historical events.

The meaning behind each flower also varies. In some cases, governments have documented why a particular plant was selected or how it relates to national identity. In others, popular meanings have developed through local traditions rather than through an official designation.

One well-documented example is Trinidad and Tobago’s chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea). The flower is named in honor of Don José María Chacón, the last Spanish governor of Trinidad, and its brilliant red color corresponds with the red used in the country’s national flag and coat of arms.

Saint Lucia offers another distinctive example. Its rose and marguerite are associated with two historic cultural societies, La Rose and La Marguerite, whose traditions continue through annual flower festivals.

These connections show that Caribbean floral symbols are more than attractive plants. Their significance can come from native flora, history, cultural traditions, national celebrations, or a combination of these influences.

National Flowers and Floral Symbols by Caribbean Country and Territory

Here are the national flowers, territorial flowers, and prominent floral symbols associated with Caribbean countries and territories:

Anguilla — White Cedar

Anguilla’s national flower is the white cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla), a familiar flowering tree across parts of the Caribbean. It produces clusters of pale pink to white trumpet-shaped flowers and has traditionally provided wood for construction and other practical uses.

Antigua and Barbuda — Dagger Log

The national flower of Antigua and Barbuda is the dagger log (Agave karatto), an agave that produces a tall flowering stalk topped with yellow blooms. The plant has historical connections to island life: its flowering stalk was once used to make fishing rafts, while the white interior pulp of its leaves was used as fishing bait.

Aruba — Wanglo

Aruba’s national flower is the wanglo (Tribulus cistoides), a low-growing plant recognized by its bright yellow flowers. It is well adapted to Aruba’s dry climate and can be found along coastal areas and in open spaces across the island.

The Bahamas — Yellow Elder

The yellow elder (Tecoma stans) is the national flower of the Bahamas. This tropical shrub produces clusters of bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that stand out against its green foliage and thrive in the warm Caribbean climate.

Barbados — Pride of Barbados

The national flower of Barbados is the Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), a tropical shrub known for its brilliant red, orange, and yellow flowers. The officially recognized form has fiery red petals edged with yellow, and the flower is depicted on the country’s coat of arms.

Belize — Black Orchid

Belize’s national flower is the black orchid, commonly identified botanically as Prosthechea cochleata and historically classified as Encyclia cochleata. Despite its name, the unusual orchid is not completely black; its distinctive flower has dark purple-brown coloration contrasting with lighter greenish-yellow portions.

Bonaire — Kibrahacha

The kibrahacha (Handroanthus billbergii) is a striking flowering tree associated with Bonaire and the dry landscapes of the southern Caribbean. After periods of rainfall, its branches can become covered with brilliant yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, creating one of the island’s most noticeable seasonal floral displays.

British Virgin Islands — White Cedar

The white cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla) is the territorial flower of the British Virgin Islands. This Caribbean tree produces attractive trumpet-shaped flowers ranging from nearly white to pale pink and is well adapted to tropical conditions.

Cayman Islands — Wild Banana Orchid

The wild banana orchid is the national flower of the Cayman Islands. Two varieties are associated with the islands: one originating on Grand Cayman and another from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Their fragrant flowers have purple lips, with predominantly white petals on the Grand Cayman variety and pale yellow petals on the Sister Islands variety.

Cuba — Mariposa

Cuba’s national flower is the mariposa (Hedychium coronarium), also called white ginger or butterfly ginger. Its fragrant white flowers resemble butterflies, giving the plant its Spanish common name, mariposa. The flower has strong cultural and historical associations with Cuba.

Curaçao — Kibrahacha

The kibrahacha (Handroanthus billbergii), known for its spectacular yellow blooms, is a familiar flowering tree in Curaçao. Adapted to the island’s relatively dry conditions, the tree can produce an impressive burst of trumpet-shaped flowers following seasonal rainfall.

Dominica — Bwa Kwaib

Dominica’s national flower is bwa kwaib or Carib wood (Sabinea carinalis), an indigenous shrub with bright scarlet flowers. It was legally designated the national flower in 1978. The hardy plant occurs naturally in dry coastal areas, although its distribution in the wild is limited.

Dominican Republic — Bayahibe Rose

The national flower of the Dominican Republic is the Bayahibe rose (Leuenbergeria quisqueyana, formerly Pereskia quisqueyana). Despite its common name, it is not a true rose but a member of the cactus family. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic and was officially designated the national flower in 2011.

Grenada — Bougainvillea

Grenada’s national flower is the bougainvillea, a tropical woody climber famous for its vivid papery bracts. The colorful structures commonly mistaken for petals actually surround the plant’s much smaller white flowers. Bougainvillea originated in South America but is now widely grown throughout the Caribbean and other tropical regions.

Guadeloupe — Floral Symbols

No officially designated flower could be confirmed for Guadeloupe. The islands nevertheless support a rich variety of tropical flowering plants, including orchids, heliconias, and other species adapted to the Caribbean climate.

Guyana — Victoria Regia (Giant Water Lily)

Guyana’s national flower is the Victoria Regia, now botanically classified as Victoria amazonica. Native to tropical South America, it is famous for its enormous floating leaves and large flowers, which open white before changing color as they mature.

Haiti — Hibiscus

Hibiscus is widely associated with Haiti and is commonly included in lists of Caribbean floral symbols. Its large, colorful flowers are characteristic of tropical landscapes, although its status as an officially designated national flower is not clearly documented.

Jamaica — Lignum Vitae

Jamaica’s national flower is the lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale), a small tree native to the West Indies and tropical continental America. It produces attractive blue flowers followed by orange-yellow fruit. Its name means “wood of life,” a reference associated with the plant’s long history of medicinal use.

Martinique — Floral Symbol

Heliconias are among the tropical flowering plants grown in Martinique and are recognized for their colorful flower-like bracts. However, an officially designated territorial flower for Martinique could not be confirmed.

Montserrat — Red Heliconia

The red heliconia (Heliconia spp.) is the national flower of Montserrat. Heliconias are tropical plants recognized for their colorful bracts surrounding small flowers, creating the dramatic floral displays for which the genus is known.

Puerto Rico — Flor de Maga

Puerto Rico’s floral emblem is the flor de maga (Thespesia grandiflora), a tree native to Puerto Rico that produces large pink to reddish flowers. Although its blossoms resemble hibiscus flowers and the plants belong to the same family, Malvaceae, flor de maga is a distinct species and should not be confused with the common tropical hibiscus.

Saint Barthélemy — Floral Symbol

No officially designated flower could be confirmed for Saint Barthélemy. The island’s relatively dry tropical climate supports a variety of flowering plants adapted to warm, sunny conditions.

Saint Kitts and Nevis — Poinciana

The national flower of Saint Kitts and Nevis is the poinciana or flamboyant (Delonix regia). The tropical tree develops a broad, umbrella-shaped canopy and spectacular clusters of scarlet and orange-red flowers. The name is associated with Monsieur de Poincy, the first French governor of Saint Kitts, who is traditionally credited with introducing the tree to the region.

Saint Lucia — Rose and Marguerite

Saint Lucia recognizes two national flowers: the rose and the marguerite. They are associated with the historic La Rose and La Marguerite flower societies, which have played an important role in the island’s cultural traditions. Annual celebrations continue to honor these two floral societies.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — Soufrière Tree

The national flower of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the Soufrière tree (Spachea perforata), an endemic species known only from Saint Vincent. It produces clusters of small, pale pink flowers. Although it has not been found growing in the wild in modern times, cultivated specimens have been maintained and propagated.

Sint Maarten — Yellow Sage

The national flower of Sint Maarten is the yellow sage (Lantana camara), a flowering shrub known for clusters of small yellow to orange-yellow blossoms. The flower is incorporated into Sint Maarten’s coat of arms, reflecting its recognized place among the country’s national symbols.

Suriname — Ixora

Ixora is frequently listed as a floral symbol of Suriname, although its status as an officially designated national flower is not clearly documented. These tropical evergreen shrubs produce dense clusters of small red, orange, pink, or yellow flowers.

Trinidad and Tobago — Chaconia

The national flower of Trinidad and Tobago is the chaconia (Warszewiczia coccinea), a native forest plant known for its brilliant red floral display. Its name honors Don José María Chacón, the last Spanish governor of Trinidad. The flower commonly blooms around the country’s Independence Day celebrations in late August.

Turks and Caicos Islands — Turks and Caicos Heather

The national flower of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the Turks and Caicos heather (Limonium bahamense). This small flowering plant is adapted to saline coastal environments and occurs in salt-flat and coastal habitats on several islands. Despite its common name, it is not a true heather of the heath family but belongs to the leadwort family, Plumbaginaceae.

U.S. Virgin Islands — Yellow Cedar

The yellow cedar (Tecoma stans), also known as yellow elder or trumpetbush, is widely associated with the U.S. Virgin Islands as a floral symbol. Its clusters of bright yellow, trumpet-shaped blossoms are well suited to the islands’ warm tropical climate.

Caribbean Flower Festivals and Traditions

National flowers sometimes become part of the cultural traditions and celebrations of the places they represent. One of the clearest examples can be found in Saint Lucia, where the rose and marguerite are connected to two historic flower societies known as La Rose (La Woz) and La Marguerite (La Magwit).

The two societies have their own traditions, songs, ceremonies, and annual festivals. La Rose is traditionally celebrated on August 30, while La Marguerite is celebrated on October 17. These festivities demonstrate how flowers can become intertwined with community identity and cultural heritage rather than serving simply as national symbols.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, national flowers may appear in public displays, cultural events, artwork, gardens, and other expressions of national identity. The specific traditions surrounding each flower vary considerably among countries and territories.

Conservation of Caribbean National Flowers

Some Caribbean floral symbols also highlight the importance of protecting the region’s native plants and their habitats. One notable example is the Bayahibe rose (Leuenbergeria quisqueyana), the national flower of the Dominican Republic.

Despite its common name, the Bayahibe rose is not a true rose. It belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae, and is native to the Dominican Republic. Its limited natural distribution and habitat pressures have made conservation an important part of the plant’s story.

Conservation organizations and botanical institutions have supported efforts to protect the Bayahibe rose through habitat conservation, propagation, research, and public awareness. These efforts demonstrate how a national flower can serve not only as a cultural symbol but also as a reminder of the Caribbean’s distinctive native biodiversity.

Other national flowers and floral emblems may face different conservation challenges depending on their distribution, habitat, and population status, so conservation needs vary considerably from one species to another.

Final Sprouts of Wisdom

The national flowers and floral symbols of the Caribbean reflect the remarkable botanical and cultural diversity found across the region. From Jamaica’s lignum vitae and Barbados’ Pride of Barbados to the Bayahibe rose of the Dominican Republic and the chaconia of Trinidad and Tobago, each flower has a distinctive connection to the place it represents.

Some of these plants are valued for their native origins, while others have become important through history, tradition, or their association with national identity. Their stories also demonstrate why it is important to distinguish between officially designated national flowers and floral emblems that are primarily recognized through cultural tradition.

Together, these flowers provide a colorful way to explore the landscapes, histories, and traditions of Caribbean countries and territories—one bloom at a time.