Caribbean (West Indian) Flowers
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Caribbean Flowers For Your Wedding, Garden Or Spring Bouquet
Contents at a Glance
- Official Flowers of the Caribbean Island...
- National Flowers Of The Caribbean Island...
- Information and Images of the Flowering...
- Order Caribbean Flowers
- Order Caribbean Flower Arrangements
- Grow Caribbean Flowers In Your Garden
- Help With Growing Your Own Caribbean Flo...
- Gardening in the Caribbean Islands
- Botanical Gardens and National Parks of...
Official Flowers of the Caribbean Islands
Here are photos of the official flowers of the different Islands of the West Indies - along with names and representing countries.
![Flores de guayacán [en. guaiacum, lignum-vitae tree, fr. gayac, bois de vie] (Guaiacum officinale L.) by Cristóbal Alvarado Minic](http://static.flickr.com/3344/3521153671_c6e1c2bcbc_s.jpg)
Map of the Caribbean Islands
The West Indies
Information and Images of the Flowering Plants of the Caribbean
- Official Flowers of the Caribbean Islands
- The twin flower festivals of La Rose and La Marguerite
- Caribbean Fruit Trees
- Sources Cited - National Flowers
- Order Caribbean Flowers
- Order Caribbean Flower Arrangements
- Some ideas for a tropical Caribbean centerpiece
- Grow Caribbean Flowers In Your Garden
- Butterfly Gardens
- Gardening in the Caribbean Islands
- Botanical Gardens and National Parks of the Caribbean
- Sites on Flowers and Plants of the Caribbean
Books on Caribbean Flowers
Anthurium
The Official Flower of Martinique
The Anthurium is the official flower of Martinique.
I found these scans of stamps from Martinique featuring anthuriums at aroid.org. Anthuriums belong to the aroid genus of plants.
One of Martinique's popular nicknames is the "Ile aux fleurs" or "Island of flowers." Possibly the best place to view anthuriums in bloom on the island of Martinique is in Morne Rouge at Macintosh Plantation. Macintosh Plantation is one of the island's largest anthurium growers and was named for the esteemed cultivator of this plant.
Bougainvillea
The official flower of Grenada
Bougainvillea is the national flower of Grenada.
Bwa Kwaib
Dominica
Carib Wood or "bwa kwaib" (think of the French "Bois Carib" - translated to Caribbean Wood) is the national flower of Dominica. This plant is both hardy and indigenous to Dominica, as well as being at its most stunning generally during the month of April. The scientific name of this tree-like shrub (reaching a height of between 10 and 15 feet) is sabinea carinalis or also poitea carinalis. A nice photo gallery of Bwa Kwaib can be found at the site of the Dominica Botanic Gardens. The Heliconia was an earlier choice for Dominica's national flower, as was the Petria, but the unique and native Bwa Kwaib won out in the end (1978) due to its poetic representation of the Dominican people, equally unique and native. The Bwa Kwaib flowers only live a few days between February and April (although sometimes lasting through June) making this national flower even more elusive.Bwa Kwaib only grows in the wild on the Island of Dominica, although it is also being grown in Guyana. Similar plants occur in the wild on the Virgin Islands and in Puerto Rico.
Find more information on Bois Caribe, Carib Wood or "Bwa Kwaib":
National Flower (Sabinea Carinalis) - Search Dominica
Dominica - Nature Isle of the Caribbean - Cakafete
The Century Plant
Its flower staff is the "Dagger's Log"
The national flower of the islands of Antigua & Barbuda is the "Dagger's Log" or flowering staff of the Agave plant. A member of the lily family, The agave plant only flowers once in its lifetime (after about 10 or 20 years) at the top of a pole or "log" that emerges from the center of the plant. After flowering, the plant dies. Outside of Antigua & Barbuda, the agave is also known as the "Century Plant". Known by the Arawaks as "Maguey" or "Kabuya", the leaf fiber of this plant was used to make hammock strings, rope, cords and handicrafts. Dead "logs" are pieced together to make fishing rafts. Medicinally, the plant was used for curing tuberculosis. Another handy and practical use of the agave plant on Antigua & Barbuda is to plant several together forming a sturdy fence for keeping out intruders. The Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society provides a beautiful summary of the Dagger's Log or Agave at its site. This site is a useful reference for other flora and fauna of these islands - don't miss it!]Purchase Agave Plants: Check out Tyty's Nursery to purchase agave plants online. Agave's are slow to grow, so the larger plants are highly prized and more expensive.
Heliconia Flowers
The Official Flower Of Montserrat
Hibiscus (Flor de Maga)
The official flower of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's Flor de Maga is similar to the Hibiscus, but grows on a tree rather than a bush and is huge, with its flowers being the size of a dinner plate. In the west of the island, it is known as the 'Flor de Candelaria'. This tall tree (growning from 30 to 50 feet in height) features either pink or red flowers which bloom year-round and is native to the island of Puerto Rico. The Maga Tree is grown for ornamental use, but its wood is also used for furniture production. It also produces a round fruit.
For anyone interested in crafts, I came across a beautiful crochet pattern for a Puerto Rican Maga flower. This would make a beautiful adornment for a cap, or made in multiples it could become a lovely throw blanket.
Marguerite (Bachelor Buttons or Gomphrena) And The Rose
Official flowers of St. Lucia
St. Lucia has two national flowers, and (to say it better) two national "flower festivals: La Rose and La Marguerite. These floral societies are singing associations today. Both groups have a hierarchy headed by a king and queen, with other colonial dignitaries beneath them: princes & princesses, judges, policemen, soldiers and nurses amongst others.
Both floral societies have a patron saint whose feast day is also the grand fete for their respective society. The Roses celebrate their grand fete on the August 30 feast of St. Rose of Lima. The Marguerites hold their grand fete on St. Margaret Mary Alacoque's feast day, October 17.
The twin flower festivals of La Rose and La Marguerite
The grand fete is a celebration of pomp and pageantry. Floral societies practice months before the fete with nightly singing rehearsals called "seances" that follow a specific protocal.
Seances are led by a lead singer ("shantwel"), usually a woman. The shantwel leads the other society members in a chorus with violins, banjos, quatros, guitars, shak-shaks, bahas, and drums. Variety and spontaneity occur at "seances": this doesn't happen at the more disciplined grand fete. At a seance, you might see dances like the mapa and the gwan won. Grande fête dancing is traditional and limited to quadrilles, belairs, mazurkas and other figure dancing.The King and Queen preside over the grand fete, accompanied by their royal court and supporters of the respective flowers. The day begins with church services. These are followed by street processions. The celebrating society's personalities are invited to a feast in the evening. Dancing takes up the rest of the night .
Turk's Head Cactus
Official flower of Turks & Caicos
The Turk's Head cactus refers not just to the fact that its the official 'flower' of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Actually the name is in reference to the red top of the cactus looking like a fez on the head of a Turkish man.
Plenty of care information on the Turks Head Cactus or "Barrel Cactus" (official flower of the Turks & Caicos Islands) is offered by plantcare.com. The advice is to plant a Turks Head Cactus in full using using a proper cactus soil mix. Only feed it once a year and drench the soil for waterings, letting it almost dry between waterings. Be sure to keep it warm and cover the top 1" of soil with gravel to prevent stemrot. Take care not to overwater this succulent. When the Turk's Head Cactus flowers, its flowers are bright pink and last only one day. You will find this plant in Arizona, Texas and Mexico (different species) as well as the Caribbean. It is considered an endangered species of plant in the United States. The northern Caribbean islands also refer to this cactus as the "Mother In Law's Pincushion". The Turk's Head Cactus appears on both the Coat of Arms and Shield of the Turks and Caicos Islands I found a lovely little photo of a Turks Head Cactus with and anole lizard creeping up to eat the seed pods (resembling little peppers).
Purchase Turks Head Cactus Seeds:
You can purchase the seeds to grow your own Turks Head Cactus from the UK at Chiltern Seeds.
Wild Banana Orchid
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands have 26 species of orchids, of which the most famous is their national flower, the Wild Banana Orchid. This species is endemic to the Cayman Islands, meaning it can only be found there. These orchids grow on another plant: usually Whitewood, Mahoganey or Logwood trees. Humidity and heavy rains cause these plants to flower profusely. The plant is named for the long and curved spike which is topped by the orchid flower and clustered at the bottom with 'pseudobulbs' resembling bananas.It is part of Caymanian folklore that natives used to use the hollow pseudobulbs of the Wild Banana Orchid as temporary smoking pipe bowls. Although not considered endangered, the Wild Banana Orchid's host trees (and thus their habitat) are dwindling. There are also concerns about the hybridization of this orchid species.
It is illegal to kill or take an orchid from the Cayman Islands.
Caribbean Fruit Trees
Flowers mature
Fruit Trees flower first. Here are some of the resultant Caribbean fruits.
Sources Cited - National Flowers
A listing of the websites used to compile national flower information for this lens.
- The Flower Expert - Online Flowers Encyclopedia
- The Puerto Rican state flower is the Puerto Rican Hibiscus (Thespesia Grandiflora, Maga Grandiflora, Montezuma, Flor de Maga).
- The Flower Expert - List of National Flowers by Country
- Extensive listing of the world's countries and their respective national flowers, along with interesting facts about each flower.
- Dominica - Art, Articles, Culture, History & Resources
- Information on all of the various national symbols of Dominica.
- Martinique Travel Guide
- Overview, facts, weather and headlines for Martinique.
- Visit St. Vincent & The Grenadines
- Information on the national symbology of St. Vincent's and the Grenadines.
- St. Lucia National Flowers
- Background on St. Lucia's two national flowers and their respective societies - the rose and the marguerites.
- Montserrat
- Official facts on the island of Montserrat.
- Bougainvillea Flower: National Flower of Grenada
- Information on the official national flower of Grenada, the Bougainvillea.
- Flor Maga - Puerto Rico's National Flower
- Information on the beautiful, saucer-sized Flor de Maga of Puerto Rico (closely related to Hibiscus, but even bigger).
Order Caribbean Flowers
West Indian Inspired Arrangements
Order Caribbean FlowersAre you wanting to purchase or create your own Caribbean floral arrangement? Now you know a little more about the typical flowers: hibiscus, birds of paradise, ginger flowers, bromeliads and orchids. Caribbean floral arrangements generally have a lot of height, making them ideal for centerpieces. I've spent time online curating photos of impressive floral arrangements and bouquets featuring West Indian plants, as well as locating Caribbean-inspired bouquets that are available for online ordering. Choose your florist online at Centsible and view sample designs as well as shipping policies, featured deals and couon or promo codes.
Have a look at the selections I've found from local florists located in the Caribbean Islands and online florists
A few things to know about ordering flowers online
Order Caribbean Flower Arrangements
Some ideas for a tropical Caribbean centerpiece
From Bouchard's Florists in Green Bay, Wisconsin
Grow Caribbean Flowers In Your Garden
Be sure that you live in an appropriate gardening zone
When ordering these plants, please ensure that you live in an appropriate area for them to thrive.However, some plants like orchids, heliconias, barrel cacti, hibiscus and others can thrive indoors in containers.
Butterfly Gardens
All benefit from having Ixora, Zinnia and Lantana Flowers
Lantana
Growing in the Caribbean Isles
Lantana camara was originally native to the Caribbean islands, although now it can be found going in tropical regions throughout the worldwide. It tolerates salty air well, and for this reason thrives by the seaside. Lantana Camara grows best in full sun and can be propagated from cuttings.
Help With Growing Your Own Caribbean Flowers
Reference books for including tropical plants in your garden.
Gardening in the Caribbean Islands
If you're interested in visiting the Caribbean to view its botanical gardens or want to try your hand at caring for tropical plants at home (either indoors or in your own outdoor garden), visit a series I've just started creating on various gardens throughout the Caribbean islands.
Botanical Gardens and National Parks of the Caribbean
- Montoso Gardens - Puerto Rico
- Montoso Gardens is a 90-acre botanical garden, flower & fruit farm and nursery in Puerto Rico on the south slope of Pico Montoso mountain.
- Cranbrook Flower Forest and River Head Adventure Trail - Jamaica
- Cranbrook is an eco-tourism attraction on Jamaica's north coast in the parish of St. Ann between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Opened in May 1997, it features exotic tropical gardens, lawns, water pools and a tropical rain forest.
- Jamaica - Gardens By Nature & Design
- Stories & photos by Pamela A. Campbell about her visit to Jamaica's Castleton & Hope Botanical Gardens.
- Government of Jamaica - Ministry of Agriculture
- History and facts on Jamaica's numerous public gardens: Bath Botanical Gardens, Castleton Gardens, Cinchona Gardens, Hope (Royal) Botanical Garden, Holland Bamboo Grove and Fern Gully.
- Jamaica National Heritage Trust
- A listing of historic buildings, monuments and trusts throughout Jamaica.
- Andromeda Gardens - Barbados
- The official site of this 6-acre tropical botanical garden in the parish of St. Joseph, Barbados.
Sites on Flowers and Plants of the Caribbean
Guides to the plants and flowers of the Caribbean
- Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center
- A listing of plants commonly found in the Bahamas. Put together and maintained by Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center in Nassau, Bahamas.
- Turks & Caicos Islands - Department of Environment and Coastal Resources
- An informative guide to the plants and flowers of the Turks and Caicos Islands, featuring photos of the plants as well as information about them.
- Anguilla Guide
- A listing with photos of the plant life to be found on the island of Anguilla.
- Andromeda Gardens - Barbados
- The official site of this 6-acre tropical botanical garden in the parish of St. Joseph, Barbados
- Chelsea Flower Show - 2008
- Photographs and descriptions of the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show entries from the following nations: Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, Barbados and Jamaica.
- Floridata - Lantana Camara
- Quick description and history of the Lantana shrub, as well as growing considerations and propagation techniques.
Have all of these images made you yearn for the West Indies?
Book a trip to Barbados, or Jamaica, or Turks & Caicos, or the Bahamas..
Check out what the current cost is for a getaway to the Caribbean with Orbitz.
Which Caribbean Flower Reminds You Most of the West Indies?
The sense of smell is tied to strongly to memories. The bright colors of Caribbean flowers are also highly impressionable. Let us know which flower transports you back to the islands the quickest.
Purchase Anthurium Plants Online at Amazon
A hardy indoor plant.
Many species of Anthurium can be grown indoors as houseplants, or outdoors shaded areas with mild climate. They thrive in moist soil (not dry, not wet) with lots of organic material. The potting material should be coarse and well-drained, mixed on a 1:1:1 ration of peat moss: pine bark: perlite. Indoors plants do best at temperatures between 60-72 degrees F / 16-22 degrees C with lower light than other house plants. Regularly wipe the leaves with water to remove dust. Give your anthurium a weak fertilizer solution (dilute to 1/4 strength) every other week. In the case of vining or climbing Anthuriums, the plants be sure to provide them with a totem to climb.
Caribbean Flower Stamps
Send a little extra joy in the mail
Your Thoughts On These Caribbean Flowers
Find your Caribbean wedding flowers, plant advice or gift basket?
If you've enjoyed this collection of Caribbean Flowers, please sign my guestbook.
Contact Laura Schofield
*If you would like to suggest any links or have your own photos and / or stories published, please send me an email. I can be contacted through my personal homepage, laura-schofield.com. If you enjoy the work I've done here, I do offer professional copy writing, photo restoration / manipulation, search engine optimization and web design services. I can again be contacted for any of these services through my website.
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ptnjust007
Feb 7, 2012 @ 2:35 am | delete
- beautiful flowers
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rbsgifts
Jan 20, 2012 @ 2:58 am | delete
- I was looking for something to write on flowers and i got your blog ... it is really cool and made me understand how to write an informative and attractive post.
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TopToysForKids
Dec 14, 2011 @ 2:17 pm | delete
- Wonderfully done! Caribbean Flowers are gorgeous....maybe for my wedding....=)
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KandH
Nov 30, 2011 @ 8:43 pm | delete
- Great lens! It's Barbados 45th Independence Day today - Nov 30th 2011!! ... Locally, we affectionately refer to the Dwarf Poinciana as "The Pride of Barbados" :)
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kittitianhill
Nov 26, 2011 @ 5:08 am | delete
- st kitts citizenship programs were established in 1984, making the program one of the longest economic citizenship programs.
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Laura Schofield is a web developer, computer programmer, freelance journalist and mother to four children. She writes on a wide variety of subjects, from... more »
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Amazon Price: $68.76 (as of 02/16/2012)
