La Romana is celebrating the designation of a flower endemic to the area as the National Flower of the Dominican Republic, replacing the Mahogany Blossom that dated back to 1957.
Pereskia quisqueyana, commonly known as the Bayahibe Rose, is a species of cactus that is endemic to the Dominican Republic. Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forests, but it is critically endangered due to habitat loss.
The Bayahibe Rose can be seen in the trees area near the Bayahibe public school. It is also being cultivated at the National Botanical Gardens.
Discovered by French botanist Henri Alain Liogier in 1977, it has been granted the status of National Flower in an attempt to promote its cultivation and protection through awareness. This small tree can reach a height of six meters. The flowers are a lovely pink color.