Trinidad and Tobago – National Flower

The National Flower, the Single Chaconia, also called Wild Poinsettia or Pride of Trinidad and Tobago is a aming red forest ower. Belonging to the family rubiaceae, this ower owes its botanical name, Warszewiczia Coccinea, to the Polish-Lithuanian plant collector, Joseph Warszewicz.

This flower has witnessed our entire history and can be said to represent the imperishability of life and the continuity of our nation. The Chaconia, easily identifable by its long sprays of magnifcent vermilion, usually blooms around the anniversary of our Independence, August 31. With its colour matching the flaming red of our National Flag and the shield on the Coat of Arms, and bearing the same symbolism, the Chaconia harmonises beautifully with the other National Emblems.

History and circumstance led to the Single Chaconia being chosen as our National Flower, however, the Double Chaconia (Warszewiczia cv “David Auyong”) which was discovered on the edge of the forest o the Arima-Blanchisseuse Road, is indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago.

(Source: The National Identity Guidelines of Trinidad and Tobago)

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