Maga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maga |
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Thespesia
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grandiflora
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The Maga tree (its scientific name is Thespesia grandiflora) is a beautiful tree found mostly in Puerto Rico. It belongs to the Malvaceae family, which also includes plants like cotton and hibiscus. The Maga tree is special because it is endemic to Puerto Rico. This means it naturally grew only there.
Even though it started in the humid mountains, people now grow it all over Puerto Rico. You can also find it as a pretty garden tree in places like Florida, Hawaii, Honduras, and other Caribbean islands.
People love the Maga tree for its lovely flowers. Its wood is also very strong and useful, similar to its cousin, the Thespesia populnea tree. The amazing flower of the Maga tree became the official national symbol of Puerto Rico on August 7, 2019.
The Maga Flower: Puerto Rico's Symbol
The flower of the Maga tree is called Flor de Maga in Spanish. It is the official national flower of Puerto Rico. Sometimes, people mistakenly call it a hibiscus in English. However, the Maga flower is from a different group of plants. It is actually more closely related to cotton.
How the Maga Tree Grows
The Maga tree usually grows to about 20 meters (about 65 feet) tall. People grow these trees for two main reasons. One reason is for their strong timber, which is useful wood. The other reason is because they are beautiful ornamental plants. This means they are planted to make gardens and landscapes look nice.
See also
In Spanish: Thespesia grandiflora para niños
