THE CHACONIA
The honour of being chosen as our national flower goes to a wild, forest flower called the Chaconia, also known as the "Pride of Trinidad and Tobago" and "Wild Poinsettia".
The Chaconia is an indigenous flower known by its long sprays of magnificent vermillion. Coincidentally, this flower blooms on every anniversary of our Independence Day (August 31, 1962). For us, the Chaconia represents the imperishability of life and the continuity of our nation.
The Chaconia belongs to the family Rubiaceae and owes its botanical name, Warszewiczia Coccinea, to the Polish-Lithuanian plant collector, Joseph Warszewicz. It is abundant throughout richly forested areas at most elevations in Trinidad and Tobago.
The title "Chaconia" was given to it in honour of the last Spanish Governor of Trinidad, Don Jose Maria Chacon (1784-1797).