Ceibo Erythrina: The National Flower of Uruguay

The National Flower of  Uruguay is  Ceibo Erythrina also called it cockspur or coral tree and commonly known as Ceibo. Its scientific name is Erythrina. It belongs to the family of a Fabaceae order of Fabales and kingdom of Plantae.

Ceibo is actually a flowering plant belongs to the family of Fabaceae. The official name of Uruguay is   Oriental Republic of Uruguay (in Spanish: República Oriental del Uruguay) a country basically the part of a southeastern region of South America.

It borders Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with the Río de la Plata (River of Silver) to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.

Ceibo is actually a flowering plant belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Mostly found in Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Paraguay.

Ceibo which is the South American name of the flower is also national flower of Argentina. The growing process of this flower make wild in covered forest ecosystems with usual stream of water or providing river water system. Besides this, it grows well in marsh/flood and wetland or everglade environment. In built-up, inner city area it is regularly planted in parks, gardens, and streets for its bright red flowers.

It is a small tree the belt like one band around a horse belly is of its stem is 50 cm (20 in) probably. In the normal condition it grows to the height of five to eight meter 5–8 m (16–26 ft) while it some species individually grows up to ten meter 10m (33 ft) .

It mostly exists in the Argentine provinces of Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán.

The root is the main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem with nodules produced by the type of bacteria which perform nitrogen-fixing.

The advantage of live bacteria associated in Galli official relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent with the tree, get benefit from each other. In this case, the tree of Ceibo flower absorbs the nitrogen and gives feedback which fulfills the bacteria need of organic substances.

The stem of the tree contains wooded and with unequal, spiky or unsmooth branches. The resultant branches form a layer having no specific structure and after flowering session becomes died. The Ceibo is the national tree of Argentina, and its flower the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay southwestern American country.

10 Facts about Ceibo Erythrina Cristina Galli Flower

• It is the native and most  popular flower of Uruguay.
• It is hermaphrodite (neutral/sexless/genderless).
• It has approximately hundred (100) species.
• Besides Erythrina Cristina Galli the other species of the flower and tree are Erythrina speciosa (Pink form), Erythrina x sykesii, Erythrina falcata, Erythrina humeana, Erythrina humeanavar, raja, Erythrina x bidwillii, Erythrina coralloides etc.
• It is also a national tree of Argentina.
• It is also the national flower of Uruguay.
• It is an urban parks, gardens and streets beauty for its bright red flowers.
• It is found naturally in river area or where water stream.
• Due to its beauty, the most populous city of Argentina (Buenos Aires) has special Palermo’s Rose Garden. The most famous garden for local and international visitors

• The Ceibo tree (national tree of Argentina) is the approved urban tree of Los Angeles, California where it is known as the coral tree.
• It has the unique capability information known formation known as gallery forest.
• It works a and Cathartic agent .that is it stimulates evacuation of the bowels easily .effective medical result.
• The Erythrina tree has the unique multicolor in single plant character.  From  February to June at the same time, gives white flower clusters, red flower clusters and mixed colored clusters on the same tree.

• It is observed and reported that the Seeds of all Erythrina species are poisonous if consume on regular basis.
• After The tiger’s scratch/graze backbone the coral tree can holdup/catch or become trouble in clothing and skin.
• Due to its woody nature, it is light and absorbent. it can be used in the construction of model aircraft and beehives(any workplace where people are very busy, a structure that provides a natural habitation for bees).
• It is the genderless tree and usually pollinated by perching/sit on birds perching birds mostly small and living near the ground with feet having 4 toes arranged to allow for gripping the perch; most are songbirds; hatchlings are helpless) and hummingbirds.
• It is good food plant for some other plants like Lepidoptera species including Endoclita door, Hypercompe Eridanus and Hypercompe case.
• Usually grows on the banks of the Paraná river and Río de La Plata (Silver River).it can also-also grows in wetlands /water resources area like lakes, ponds etc.
• Its presence in parks, public areas, and Argentine gardens make fragrant and colorful environment.
•  It blooming starts in between November and February.

Flower meaning:

The origin and language of this flower (Ceibo) is changes with Portuguese all country. Several countries use this flower with different names. That is South America call it Ceibo, In the Spanish language, it is known as seíbo, Portuguese call it corticeira and few countries call it by the name bucaré which is ambiguous and having no right meaning. But its biological and scientific name Cristina Galli which is actually Latin word means (“cock combs”) and this is authentic name and meaning of the Uruguay national flower.

Why is Ceibo Erythrina Cristina Galli  the national flower of Uruguay ?

Every country has unique emblems which range from anthem, uniform, tree, bird, animal and a flag alongside this country also have a national flower to represent its gardens, trade and forest habitation. All the national flowers signify certain principles that a nation stands for. Let’s know the national flower of America.

It mostly grows naturally along water courses, in marsh and wetlands. Due to its attractive color and red beauty of this flower, it is also found in city areas such as parks, street, and gardens. Actually, it is a South American tree with cherry, crimson color flowers and a curved stem which locally is known as Ceibo, Sebo or Bucar in different languages and countries.

The Ceibo Cristina Galli officially declared the national flower of Uruguay for multiple reasons. Few of them are the red flower tree grows in many parts of the country in the form of forests. It makes the beauty of homes, gardens, streets and parks due to its attractive red colors like the rose which is the national flower of America and  Iraq. Besides this, it is used in national and public songs, poems and imprinted on the national coat of arms bears its color.

Some other similar flowers to Ceibo are: Corn Poppy and Hibiscus Rosa.

Also Read:

• National flower of Ireland
• National flower of Germany