The 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. The title "Chaconia"
was given to it in honour of the last
and most progressive Spanish Governor
of Trinidad, Don Jose Maria Chacon (1784-1797).