El Salvador is unique in designating two official national trees: the Maquilishuat and the Bálsamo. These species represent different facets of the nation’s identity, symbolizing both its natural heritage and economic significance. The Maquilishuat is celebrated for its ornamental beauty, while the Bálsamo is valued for its useful resin. This dual recognition reflects an appreciation for both the aesthetic flora and the functional resources found within the country.
The Maquilishuat
The Maquilishuat (Tabebuia rosea) is a prominent visual symbol of the country’s natural beauty. This neotropical tree can reach impressive heights of up to 30 meters in its native habitat. Its most recognized feature is the spectacular bloom of pink, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear during the dry season, typically between late February and April.
During this period, the canopy is often completely covered in flowers, creating a vivid spectacle valued for ornamental purposes in urban areas. The vibrant flowers attract various pollinators, including hummingbirds and different species of bees. The tree also plays an active ecological role, as its seeds provide a source of food for birds and small mammals. Its striking appearance makes it the most readily visible floral symbol across El Salvador.
The Bálsamo
The Bálsamo tree (Myroxylon balsamum) provides a contrasting symbol focused on utility and traditional commerce. It is celebrated for the aromatic liquid resin it produces, historically recognized as “Balsam of Peru.” El Salvador is the primary source of this valuable substance, which is harvested by carefully wounding the tree’s bark, despite the misleading historical name.
The resin is a thick, fragrant material containing compounds like cinnamein, giving it a distinctive spicy scent. This product has a long history of use in traditional medicine as an antiseptic and expectorant for treating wounds, colds, and skin ailments. Balsam oil is also an important ingredient in the fragrance industry, used in perfumes and soaps, and to flavor food items. The tree itself is large, capable of reaching 150 feet, and its dense, durable wood is used for construction and furniture.
Legal Recognition and Symbolic Significance
The official status of both trees was established through a formal government act, recognizing their distinct yet complementary national value. Both the Maquilishuat and the Bálsamo were officially designated as national symbols under Legislative Decree No. 44 in 1939. This decree cemented their importance in the national consciousness by granting them protected status.
The dual designation is a deliberate symbolic choice, assigning different meanings to each species. The Maquilishuat represents the nation’s natural beauty, flourishing flora, and aesthetic appeal. In contrast, the Bálsamo symbolizes the country’s economic potential, its medicinal heritage, and the cultural link to its historical trade in the valuable resin.