The national flower of the Dominican Republic is the Bayahibe Rose, known scientifically as Leuenbergeria quisqueyana. Also called Rosa de BayahÃbe, this is a rare, leaf-bearing cactus species. The scientific name quisqueyana is a tribute to the Dominican Republic, often called Quisqueya. It was officially designated as the national flower by law in 2011, replacing the previous floral emblem.
The Bayahibe Rose: A Unique Caribbean Cactus
The Bayahibe Rose is one of the few species in the cactus family (Cactaceae) that possesses leaves. Unlike most cacti, this plant grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights up to six meters (20 feet). The trunk and branches are covered in clusters of spines, but they also bear bright green, succulent, elliptical leaves.
The flowers are a bright pink or rose color, blooming from the ends of the branches, and the plant produces yellow fruits containing black seeds. This species is endemic to the island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti. Its natural habitat is restricted to the subtropical dry forests on the southeastern coast, near the town of Bayahibe, which gives the flower its common name.
French botanist Henri Alain Liogier discovered the species in 1977, and it was formally described in 1980. The plant was initially classified under the genus Pereskia but was later reclassified to Leuenbergeria in 2013. The Bayahibe Rose typically blooms twice a year, though its existence in the wild is threatened by habitat loss.
National Symbolism and Conservation
The designation marked a change from the previous national flower, the flower of the Mahogany tree (Swietenia mahogani), which had been the symbol since 1957. Law 146-11, which established the Bayahibe Rose in 2011, also reaffirmed the Mahogany tree as the country’s national tree.
The Bayahibe Rose was selected due to its status as a unique, endemic species. The plant is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, making its designation a direct effort to raise awareness and ensure its protection. By making it a national symbol, the government highlighted the importance of conserving the country’s unique biodiversity.
The flower has also gained cultural significance, earning the local nickname “mata de chele” or “palo de chele,” which translates to “money tree.” This nickname stems from its appearance on the country’s currency, as the Central Bank was instructed to feature the Bayahibe Rose on new bills starting in 2014. Its presence on the peso bills solidifies its role as a national treasure.