Table of Contents
- Introduction
- At a glance: Cuban flora
- What types of Cuban flora should I know about?
- What’s the national flower of Cuba?
- The most popular flower in Cuba
- Endangered Cuban Flora
Did you know that about a quarter of the Caribbean Island’s plant life can only be found in Cuba? We bet you didn’t. But hey, it shouldn’t be that shocking – the warm climate, generous rainfall and excellent soil conditions should be a dead giveaway. Regardless, if you’re a lover of all things nature, visiting Cuba might be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. So, let’s dive into the world of Cuban flora & see what it has in store for you.
Time to lay out the specifics: Cuban flora consists of more than 6,500 species of plant life, and more than 3,000 are endemic. In the last 350 years, more than 950 plant species have also become either rare or extinct.
What types of Cuban flora should I know about?
Get your read on – this is Cuban Flora 101!
Orchids
You might get to see an incredibly colourful variety of Cuban flora, but there are some flowers you just can’t miss, and that title goes to the Cuban Orchids. The White Mariposa, Tetramicra, Riparia, and Clamshell orchids are among the most common orchids in Cuba.
Black Orchids
Meet the not-so-common member of the Cuban orchid family! Black Orchids are wildly captivating, and coming across this flower is sure to be one of the highlights of your holiday. Widely appreciated for its one-of-a-kind appearance, the Black Orchid is native to Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, the West Indies, northern Florida & Central America.
Tetramicra Riparia
The Tetramicra Riparia is one of the two newly discovered species of orchid. You’ll be able to spot one in the lesser-explored Baracao mountains. Known for its small petals, broad base, and nearly four-foot-long pedicel; this flower certainly has a unique appearance.
Palm Trees
The chances of seeing a Cuban palm tree (or really just any palm tree) on Instagram is incredibly high. We get it, though! Cuban palm trees are majestic, and there are more than 100 species of palm trees in Cuba, of which 90 are endemic. So, if you’re visiting, you’re bound to run into one sooner or later – and hey, you might as well get a good picture when you do, right?
Encyclia Navarroi
The second new member to the Cuban flora family is the Encyclia Navarroi. With up to 20 blooms on one plant, its petals spread up to 7 centimetres & has a stunning green and purple colour, giving it an appearance that resembles a daffodil. Since its discovery, the Encyclia Navarroi has also become a suitable domestic plant.
What’s the national flower of Cuba?
White Mariposa
Give it up for the Cuban flower of the hour! The White Mariposa, also known as the “Butterfly Jasmine”, is the national flower of Cuba & to just call it beautiful would be a major understatement.
The national flower of Cuba carries great historical significance as it was once used by Cuban women to send messages to men fighting in the independence wars.
Want to see one? Don’t worry, the White Mariposa isn’t hard to find! You’ll be able to steal a glance at this flower in humid places such as lagoons. However, the orchid can also be grown domestically.
What flower is Cuba known for?
The Black Orchid in Cuba does garner a lot of attention from nature lovers, but if we’re talking about the MOST popular flower in Cuba, that would be none other than the White Mariposa, the national flower of Cuba.
Endangered Cuban Flora
Much of Cuban flora has been threatened by vulnerable agriculture, invasive species and deforestation. As of right now, 157 tree species are at risk of extinction in Cuba and are in urgent need of conservation action. We’ve pointed out three of them below!
The Ghost Orchid
The Ghost Orchid is one of the many types of Cuban flora that are at risk of going extinct. Currently, a number of conservation groups are trying to secure the protection of the ghost orchid under the Endangered Species Act.
Leptocereus nudiflorus
In 2013, the Leptocereus nudifloru (a tree-like cactus) was at risk of extinction. Over 7 years later, the risk remains but at a rate that is able to be controlled. If drastic measures are not employed, it may very well disappear from the species listed under Cuban flora.
The Cuban Magnolia
For the last eleven years, the Cuban Magnolia has also been under conservation efforts. However, it is slowly yet surely recovering as thousands of new plants have been reintroduced as a part of Cuban flora.
Conclusion
Whether it’s the national flower of Cuba, the different species of orchids or just the palm trees – you have to admit that the world of Cuban flora is entirely mesmerising. So, if you’re looking for a way to get a first-hand experience of the destination & its plant life, let us know.
Interested in finding out more?
Please feel free to Contact Us any time and one of our team of dedicated Cuba specialists will be happy to create a tailor-made holiday just for you so that you can discover more about this fascinating country.
