Costa Rica’s national flower, the Guaria Morada, is a captivating orchid that symbolizes the country’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. This vibrant bloom holds a special place in the hearts of Costa Ricans, representing their national identity.
The Guaria Morada Orchid
The Guaria Morada, scientifically known as Guarianthe skinneri, is a striking orchid species, though it was formerly classified as Cattleya skinneri. It is renowned for its vibrant purple flowers, which can range in hue from deep violet to lighter shades of lavender or even pink. Each plant typically produces four to five large, irregularly shaped blooms.
These orchids are epiphytic, meaning they grow harmlessly on other plants, such as trees or rocks, rather than in soil. They obtain their necessary nutrients and moisture from the air and rain. While they can reach up to 50 cm, their preferred habitat includes humid, pre-mountainous areas along the Pacific coast, typically found at elevations between 500 and 1,500 meters above sea level.
The Guaria Morada’s blooming season spans from January to April, with its most abundant display occurring in March. The orchid thrives in temperatures ranging from 15°C to 24°C, with over 70% humidity and annual rainfall between 1,500 to 3,000 mm. Although once more widespread, overcollection has made wild sightings rare, leading to government protection and increased cultivation efforts.
Designation and Significance
The Guaria Morada was officially designated as Costa Rica’s national flower on June 15, 1939, through Decree No. 24, signed by President León Cortés Castro. The process to select a national flower began in 1936, prompted by a request from Argentina for Costa Rica to nominate a floral representative for a global garden display.
A nationwide competition was organized by the Garden Club and the Rotary Club in 1937, involving horticulturists, students, and politicians. The Guaria Morada was chosen for its deep roots in Costa Rican traditions and its native American origins. Its selection also reflected the beauty of Costa Rican women, and historically, indigenous women adorned their heads with its large purple flowers.
This orchid symbolizes good fortune, peace, love, hope, harmony, and national identity for the Costa Rican people, often referred to as the “purple country girl.” The flower is deeply woven into cultural practices, frequently used to decorate church altars during Lent and Holy Week.
In 1972, President José Figueres Ferrer established the second week of March as “Costa Rican Orchid Week.” This annual celebration highlights the orchid’s peak bloom and the nation’s rich diversity of orchid species. Its enduring presence in folklore, art, and a 1934 folk song cements its place as a cherished national emblem.