Tribe Gossypieae Rank Species | Subfamily Malvoideae Genus Thespesia Higher classification Thespesia | |
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Similar Thespesia, Mallows, Magnolia portoricensis, Roystonea borinquena, Guarianthe skinneri | ||
Thespesia grandiflora is a tree in the Malvaceae family of the Rosids order. Its English common name is maga. This tree is widely distributed throughout Puerto Rico where it is endemic. Its Spanish common name in Puerto Rico is maga 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 used as an ornamental plant, but the wood of the tree itself is valued elsewhere for its durable timber.
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Flower
The flower of the tree, known as flor de maga, is the official national flower of Puerto Rico. The flower itself is very beautiful and is sometimes called a hibiscus in English, although it belongs to a different tribe, genus, and species from the true hibiscus.
Growth
The maga tree usually grows no larger than 20 meters. It is grown for timber and as an ornamental plant.
