Discover the National Flower of Costa Rica: Guaria Morada

Costa Rica is a country in Central America located south of Nicaragua and north of Panama. It has oceans on two sides, with the Pacific coastline on the west and Caribbean beaches on the east. Costa Rica is known for having lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, mountain streams, and volcanoes surrounding the capital city of San José. Costa Rica is also known for its biodiversity and environmental conservation efforts. This is because it is home to many endangered or rare species. The vibrant landscape, ample opportunity for adventure in the wild, and rich culture has made the country a top travel destination among international tourists.

Among the country’s diverse plant species, there was one chosen to be the national flower. The national flower of Costa Rica is the Guaria Morada. As Costa Rica’s national flower, the Guaria Morada was selected as a global symbol. It represents of country, its people, and a landscape full of diverse plant life. The rest of this article will cover more about the Guaria Morada, where it grows, its history as a symbol of Costa Rica, and some of the other unique emblems of Costa Rica’s culture. Let’s learn more now!

What is Costa Rica’s National Flower?

The national flower of Costa Rica, the Guaria Morada, is a species in the family of orchids. This vibrant flower is a stunningly beautiful species of orchid that grows purple petals and is said to bring good luck. In Spanish, “Guaria Morada” means “purple country girl.” 

In 1937, the Rotary Club and the Garden Club organized a competition to select the national flower of Costa Rica for the sake of a tropical flower exposition in Miami, Florida. That year, a vote among horticulturalists, college students, and politicians revealed this flower as a popular choice to represent the country. In 1939, the Guaria Morada was officially designated by the government as the national flower of Costa Rica. The president, Leon Cortes Castro, signed the official declaration making this orchid an official representation of the country.

Costa Rica’s jungle rainforests are full of diverse animal habitats and a plethora of plant species. Among these are many brightly-colored, lush flowering plants. In fact, this small country only takes up less than 20,000 square miles or 51,100 square kilometers (making it approximately the size of West Virginia in the United States). Yet it is home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity! From coral reefs to jungle ferns, look to Costa Rica to find thriving, rare ecosystems and endangered species of plants and animals. One of these unique and rare species is the Guaria Morada.

What Is the Guaria Morada?

Known by its scientific name, Guarianthe skinneri, the Guaria Morada was formerly called the Cattleya skinnier. However, the new genus Guarianthe was established as separate from the genus Cattleya in 2003 by two scientists. At the time, the scientists identified differing structural features separating certain species from others in the Cattleya genus. Thus, a new genus was created. Guarianthe now contains several species of orchids, including the Guaria Morada, which grow in countries in Central America.

The Guaria Morada is an orchid species that is somewhat unique. It is an epiphyte. This means that the plant grows on trees, rocks, or other plants rather than in soil. This is possible because epiphytes gain nutrients from the air and rain rather than by absorbing them from the soil. Because of that, the Guaria Morada grows well in the mountainous forest environment. You can find this plant growing on other plants and trees, with dark green, long leaves. These flowers have rounded petals that are typically purple, hence the name. However, they can also come in shades of white or even lilac. 

Where Does the Guaria Morada Grow?

The Guaria Morada grows primarily along the Pacific coastline, on the western ocean border of Costa Rica. There, it grows at levels between 500 and 1,000 feet above sea level in the mountain foothills along the coastline. And though it is relatively rare in the wild, you may find patches of this orchid plant thriving in moist, humid rainforest conditions. Look in the right place, and you can find it still growing in its native ecosystem.

There, the Guaria Morada blooms between January and April. The individual plant typically produces four or five flowers. Each of these flowers only blooms for a short period of time, with some experts suggesting that visitors to Costa Rica come in March to catch the orchids at peak bloom.

​​One place where you can see the Guaria Morada in bloom is at the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. This park is very famous. In fact, many tourists visit it to have big adventures in the rivers on rafting tours or to relax in the natural hot springs. However, this park is also a place to find the Guaria Morada blooming abundantly. If you would like, go see it during the right time of year, and book a tour from a local expert who can share more about the habitat and natural beauty of the park.

What Is the Cultural Significance of the Guaria Morada? 

As a beloved symbol of Costa Rica, some consider the Guaria Morada to have an honored place in the country’s folklore and culture. In fact, people historically used the flower in ceremonies as part of local cultural tradition. To some people in Costa Rica, the Guaria Morada is a symbol of good fortune and harmony between families. Therefore, you may find it appears as a gift or signal of trust and honor.

Alternatively, some people say that the flower represents the beauty of Costa Rica or the Costa Rican people. As a jungle orchid that grows in the region, it certainly does represent the country in a unique way!

Traditionally, families cultivated the Guaria Morada on the rooftops of houses, in gardens, or in-home courtyards. Even today, you may find the flower growing on the side of adobe walls or in clay tiles. You could also find them cultivated in famous Costa Rican cities full of traditional architecture. However, this practice has largely disappeared due to unscrupulous practices of selling the flowers for profit. Don’t worry, though. You can still enjoy the flowers in a few wild areas or in plant conservatories.

These, and others, represent small pieces of Costa Rica’s proud people and history. In fact, getting to know the country through the Guaria Morada is just one way to learn a little bit about Costa Rica’s abundant plant life! Now, when you see a tropical orchid, you can remember the rare and vibrant beauty of Costa Rica.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ibenk_88/Shutterstock.com