Bwa Kwaib, Bois Carib (Sabinea carinalis)
This small deciduous tree with brilliant red flowers that grows in the wild mainly along the dry scrub woodland of the west coast, was chosen as the national flower around the time of independence. Its claim to this title is based on the botanical fact that it is endemic to Dominica with only one related species found in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Some years earlier the Dominica Horticultural Society had chosen the balizier or heleconia (Heliconia bihai) as its choice for the national flower. It was selected by the popular vote of people attending one of its exhibitions. Another contender was the beautiful mauve Petrea (Petrea kohautiana) that blossoms on vines throughout the rain forest. But there was the view among the selectors that it was not endemic to Dominica and the uniqueness of the Bwa Kwaib gave it the edge. The flowers have a form typical of pea flowers with a long keel. Scattered bushes grow all along the west coast and make a short-lived burst of colour from February to April and sometimes as late as June. The flowers die within a few days so that this is a rather illusive national flower. During this time it attracts an abundance of insects, hummingbirds and banana quits. Since being declared the national flower the Bwa Kwaib has been spread across the island by human propagation. In many cases it has been planted well out of its natural vegetation range such as in mountain villages and on the east coast. Because of this its flowering is affected according to the micro climate of its location. Schools, churches and government departments were encouraged to plant the national flower in their grounds and so it is now well established around the island.