Sacuanjoche, Nicaragua National Flower
Sacuanjoche, Nicaragua National Flower
Also named May Flower, Sacuanjoche is Nicaragua’s national flower since 1971. Its name derives from the Náhuatl language: “xacuan”(sacuan) means beautiful yellow petals and “xochilt”(joche) is flower. Belonging to the genus Plumeria, this highly fragrant, spiral-shaped flower grows on the frangipani tree. The Plumeria genus name is in honor of the 17th century French Franciscan monk and botanist Charles Plumier. Sacuanjoche blooms around May, exhibiting showy white or cream colored blooms. The flowers have no nectar, and simply dupe their pollinators. The Sacuanjoche appears on the rarely used 1, 5, 10, and 25 cent Nicaragua’s Cordoba banknotes. It really captures the essence of the beauty of the tropics!
