This brilliant flowering shrub or small tree is Poitea carinalis, commonly called Carib Wood or Bwa Kwayib. It belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, and was formerly classified as Sabinea carinalis. It is found naturally only on the Caribbean island of Dominica, making it one of that island’s distinctive endemic plants.

For much of the year, it may appear to be a fairly modest, slender tree. Its leaves are compound, made up of several pairs of small leaflets, and the plant is adapted to the dry coastal woodland of western Dominica. It often loses its leaves during the dry season.

The real spectacle begins when it flowers. Masses of vivid scarlet blossoms appear along the bare or nearly bare branches, often just before the new leaves emerge. Because there is so little foliage to hide them, the flowers can make the entire crown appear bright red.

If you look closely, the flowers have the characteristic form of the pea family, with several differently shaped petals, including a long, narrow keel. The species name carinalis refers to that keel-like part of the flower.

The blossoms attract insects and nectar-feeding birds, including hummingbirds and bananaquits. The display can be intense but relatively brief, making the flowering season especially memorable. In Dominica it commonly flowers during the dry season, particularly from about February through April, although the timing can vary with rainfall.

After flowering, the tree produces flattened seed pods, another clear sign that it belongs to the legume family. These pods mature and dry before releasing their seeds.

Poitea carinalis is Dominica’s national flower. It was chosen not only for the beauty of its scarlet blossoms but also because it is unique to the island and represents Dominica’s natural heritage.

This is therefore a tree whose appearance changes dramatically with the seasons. Out of flower, it may be easy to overlook. In full bloom, however, its leafless branches become covered in red, transforming a small woodland tree into one of the most striking floral displays in the Caribbean.