Poitea carinalis
A small tree with brilliant red flowers, native and unique to Dominica
Poitea carinalis is a small deciduous tree or shrub in the legume family, found only in Dominica. Its entire crown turns bright red when it flowers between February and April, making it visible from far away. It is the national flower of Dominica and is now being planted more widely.
- Endemic to Dominica and nowhere else
- National flower of Dominica
- Flowers turn the whole tree bright red in spring
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and insects
- Known locally as Carib wood or bwa kwaib
What does Poitea carinalis look like?
Poitea carinalis grows as a small tree or dry shrub. When in bloom, its entire crown is covered in vivid red flowers, making it stand out from a distance. The flowers have a typical pea-like shape with a long keel, and appear before the new leaves. Out of flower, the plant has 6 to 8 pairs of leaflets and produces flattened pods.
Where does Poitea carinalis come from?
This species is found only in Dominica, making it endemic to the island. It grows scattered through dry shrub areas. The plant’s local names include Carib wood and bwa kwaib. Its adoption as the national flower has led to more people planting it outside its natural range on the island.
When and how Poitea carinalis blooms
Poitea carinalis flowers mainly from February to April, sometimes extending to June if the dry season is long. The flowers come out just before the new leaves. The tree attracts many pollinators, including insects, hummingbirds, and bananaquits. It is occasionally planted in gardens and public spaces in Dominica.
How Poitea carinalis is used
As the national flower of Dominica, Poitea carinalis is promoted for planting across the island. It is valued for its striking red flowers and is sometimes grown in gardens or public areas. Its main use is as a symbol of national pride and identity.
Kinds of Poitea carinalis
No distinct varieties or cultivars are mentioned in the sources. The species is notable for its consistent bright red flowering and its unique status as an endemic plant.
What Poitea carinalis means
Poitea carinalis is a symbol of Dominica, chosen as the national flower. Its bright red bloom is a point of pride for the island, and efforts are made to encourage its planting. The tree’s flowering period is a notable seasonal event, attracting pollinators and attention from people across Dominica.
Questions people ask about Poitea carinalis
Where does Poitea carinalis come from?
Poitea carinalis is native to Dominica and found nowhere else in the world. It grows in dry shrub areas across the island.
What does Poitea carinalis look like when it flowers?
When in bloom, the whole tree is covered in brilliant red flowers with a typical pea-like shape and a long keel, making it visible from far away.
What is Poitea carinalis used for?
Its main use is as the national flower of Dominica. It is planted for its beauty and as a symbol of national pride.
When does Poitea carinalis flower?
It usually flowers from February to April, sometimes lasting until June depending on the dry season rains.
Why is Poitea carinalis important in Dominica?
It is the national flower and a symbol of the island’s unique natural heritage, encouraging people to plant and appreciate it.
Good reading and sources
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Poitea carinalis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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