| Flor de Maga | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Subfamily: | Malvoideae |
| Tribe: | Gossypieae |
| Genus: | Thespesia |
| Species: | T. grandiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Thespesia grandiflora DC.[1] |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Montezuma speciosissima[2] |
|
Flor de Maga is the official national flower of Puerto Rico. The tree from which it originates, the Maga tree (Thespesia grandiflora) is widely distributed throughout the island. Although originally endemic to the humid forests near San Juan, (including El Yunque) Puerto Rico, it has been recently introduced to the states of Florida and Hawaii, countries in the Caribbean and South America.
The flower is used as an ornamental plant, but the wood of the tree itself is valued elsewhere for its durable timber, which is used for furniture.
The Maga tree grows to a maximum height of 15 metres. It is grown for timber and as an ornamental plant. The flower itself is very beautiful and is sometimes called a hibiscus in English, although it belongs to a different tribe, genus, and species from the true hibiscus.