Maga
Thespesia grandiflora, family Malvaceae
Puerto Rico’s national flower, a red or pink five-petalled tree bloom
Maga is a flowering tree native to Puerto Rico, known for its large red or pink blossoms. Its flowers, which appear all year, are the national symbol of Puerto Rico and are widely grown as ornamentals on the island and in tropical gardens elsewhere.
- Maga is the national flower of Puerto Rico.
- Its flowers bloom year-round and are red or pink.
- The tree can reach up to 50 feet in height.
- Maga is grown as an ornamental in tropical regions.
- Its wood is valued for durability and termite resistance.
What does Maga look like?
The maga tree grows up to 50 feet tall and spreads about 20 feet wide. Its bark is dark and deeply grooved. The leaves are arranged alternately on the branches. Maga flowers are large, with five petals and prominent pistils, hanging from long stems. The blooms are usually red or pink and can be seen throughout the year. The fruit contains three or four seeds.
Where does Maga come from?
Maga is native to Puerto Rico, where it originally grew in certain mountain and karst regions. Over time, people have planted it widely across the island, making it common in gardens and public spaces. It is also cultivated in places like Florida, Hawaii, Honduras, and other Caribbean islands. Though sometimes confused with hibiscus, maga is a different genus but belongs to the same plant family.
When and how Maga blooms
Maga trees flower all year in tropical climates. They thrive in humid areas and are often grown from seeds. The tree is valued for its ornamental blooms and is planted in gardens, parks, and along streets. Its wood is also used for making furniture and fence posts because of its durability.
How Maga is used
The main use of maga is as an ornamental tree, valued for its showy flowers. It is the official national flower of Puerto Rico and appears in many public and private gardens. The wood is sometimes used for carpentry and outdoor structures due to its resistance to termites.
Kinds of Maga
There are no widely recognized cultivars or varieties of maga, but it is sometimes mistaken for hibiscus due to similarities in flower shape and color. The name 'amapola' is sometimes used locally, though it properly refers to hibiscus.
What Maga means
The maga flower holds special significance as the national flower of Puerto Rico. It is a symbol of the island’s identity and appears in official emblems. While often called 'amapola' in Puerto Rican Spanish, this is a misnomer, as maga is distinct from hibiscus. Its presence in gardens and public spaces reflects its cultural importance.
Questions people ask about Maga
Where does the maga tree come from?
Maga is native to Puerto Rico, where it originally grew in certain mountain and karst regions. It is now widely planted across the island and in other tropical areas.
What does the maga flower look like?
The maga flower is large, with five petals and a prominent pistil. It hangs from a long stem and is usually red or pink in color.
What is the maga flower used for?
Maga is mainly grown as an ornamental tree for its attractive flowers. It is also the national flower of Puerto Rico, and its wood is used for furniture and fence posts.
Is maga the same as hibiscus?
Although maga is sometimes called hibiscus or 'amapola' in Puerto Rico, it belongs to a different genus. Both are in the Malvaceae family but are not the same plant.
Does the maga tree flower all year?
Yes, maga trees produce flowers throughout the year in tropical climates.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Thespesia grandiflora on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Thespesia grandiflora", 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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