Thespesia grandiflora
# Thespesia grandiflora

Thespesia grandiflora is a tree in the family Malvaceae of the rosids clade. Its common name is maga and sometimes is referred to as Maga Colorada and Puerto Rican hibiscus. This tree is widely distributed throughout Puerto Rico where it is endemic. Although originally endemic to the humid mountains of limestone in the western and north-central portions of the Island, today it grows everywhere in Puerto Rico due to its extensive cultivation. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in Florida, Hawaii, Honduras and in various Caribbean islands. The maga is mostly used as an ornamental plant, but like the related Thespesia populnea its wood is also valued for its durable timber. The flower was declared the national symbol of Puerto Rico on August 7, 2019.

## Flower

The flower of the tree, known as Flor de Maga, is the official national flower of Puerto Rico. Though this species is contained within the same family as Hibiscus and may sometimes be referred to as such in English, truly it belongs to a different genus and species from true hibiscus, and is more closely related to Cotton.

## Growth

The maga tree usually grows no larger than 20 meters. It is grown for timber and as an ornamental plant.

