30 Native Brazilian Flowers & Plants to Admire (2024)

Thanks to its astonishing biodiversity, Brazil is home to some 55,000 plant species. Many native Brazilian flowers and plants reside in the Amazon rainforest and showcase a wondrous array of vibrant colors and unique botanical characteristics. Some native plants, like begonias and heliconias, are grown in gardens worldwide today. In this article, I’ll explore 30 of Brazil’s amazing native flowers and plants.

Brazil Native Range and Growing Zones

Brazil’s diverse habitats and climates correspond to USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 13. As such, many of Brazil’s native flowers should be grown as houseplants in colder areas.

Northern Brazil is covered by tropical rainforest, while most of central Brazil is comprised of tropical grasslands. Southern Brazil enjoys a humid subtropical climate. There are also some hot, arid habitats in northeastern Brazil.

How Are Brazil’s Native Flowers Defined?

Brazil’s native flowers are defined as plants that existed in Brazil before the arrival of European explorers. Many of these flowers were used by indigenous tribes to create medicines and poisons. Unfortunately, some of Brazil’s native flowers are at risk due to the ongoing deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

30 Native Brazilian Flowers:

1) Allamanda

Also known as golden trumpet flowers, allamanda flowers are climbing shrubs from the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). For the best display, train your allamanda flowers to grow up trellises or other support structures.

Allamanda plants have sprawling stems bearing glossy elliptical leaves. These climbers have bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that can bloom throughout the year in tropical climates.

2) Amazonian Water Lily

Known as uape jacana in Brazil, Amazonian water lilies are seriously impressive aquatic plants. The waxy pads of these water lilies have spiny reddish-purple undersides and can grow up to 10 feet wide. These lily pads are supported by enormous stalks that can be over 25 feet long. Amazonian water lilies also have substantial white flowers that can take two days to fully unfurl.

3) Anthurium

Anthuriums are some of the world’s most popular houseplants. These tropical perennials can also be grown outdoors in Zones 10 to 12. I love anthuriums because they also have several fantastic uses and benefits.

Some anthuriums have glossy, bright red spathes, while others have large, velvety leaves covered in prominent veins. Interestingly, all anthuriums have a spadix consisting of several tiny greenish-white flowers.

4) Beach Morning Glory

The beach morning glory is a low-growing perennial vine with a creeping habit. As such, these morning glories make excellent ground cover plants in Zones 8 to 11.

As their name suggests, these vines are ideal for coastal areas because they can tolerate salty air and sandy soils. These morning glories have round, succulent-like leaves and purple trumpet-shaped flowers with dark purple centers.

5) Brazilian Cherry

Brazilian cherry trees are evergreen members of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). These beautiful trees produce edible fruits that turn from green to reddish-purple as they ripen. These ribbed fruits make good jams or jellies.

Brazilian cherry trees have a conical, upright growth habit. The glossy, ovate leaves produce a resin-like smell when crushed. Plus, these trees also have white flowers with four petals.

6) Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe

The Brazilian Dutchman’s pipe is a vigorous climbing vine from the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). These vines have large, pouch-like reddish-purple flowers and green heart-shaped leaves.

These dramatic climbing vines grow best when climbing a trellis or similar support. Brazilian Dutchman’s pipe flowers can’t tolerate cold temperatures outside of Zones 10 to 12.

7) Brazilian Firetree

Brazilian firetrees are fast-growing deciduous trees known as guapuruvu or ficheira trees in Brazil. These tall, upright trees have smooth, grayish-green bark and a canopy of large, bipinnate leaves. Each leaf consists of up to 60 leaflets.

During spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere, Brazilian firetrees produce bright yellow flowers. These trees require full sun in Zones 10 to 12.

8) Brazilian Fuchsia

Brazilian fuchsias are gorgeous evergreen shrubs that thrive in Zones 9b to 11. Although not actually related to true fuchsias, Brazilian fuchsias work well as hedges. However, they cannot tolerate frost.

These native Brazilian flowers have soft, hairy stems and dark green elliptical leaves. What’s more, from fall until spring, Brazilian fuchsias have nodding clusters of tubular red and yellow flowers.

9) Brazilian Grape Tree

Also known as jabuticaba trees, Brazilian grape trees are interesting members of the myrtle family. These evergreen trees have reddish-brown trunks and pink elliptical leaves that gradually turn green.

Brazilian grape trees also have white flowers and purplish-black fruits that grow directly from the trunk. The edible fruits can be eaten raw or used to make jams or wines.

10) Brazilian Orchid

Brazilian orchids are elegant epiphytic orchids that grow on the branches of nearby trees. These orchids are often grown as houseplants due to their gorgeous flowers. These large blooms have a central funnel and five pink, purple, yellow, or white petals.

Brazilian orchids also have fleshy rhizomes and pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients. These orchids require plenty of bright, indirect light.

11) Brazilian Plume Flower

I love Brazilian plume flowers because they have gorgeous plume-like clusters of tubular pink or red flowers. These beautiful evergreen shrubs can flower throughout the year in warm temperatures.

These native Brazilian flowers have upright stems and glossy dark green elliptical leaves with prominent ribs. These shrubs thrive in Zones 8 to 11 and grow best in the shade.

12) Brazilwood

Brazilwood trees are attractive evergreen trees that are mainly grown as hardwood timber crops. This member of the legume family (Fabaceae) is also Brazil’s national tree.

Brazilwood trees have reddish-orange heartwood and flaky dark brown bark. These trees also have pinnate leaves that are divided into up to 19 oblong leaflets. Brazilwood trees have clusters of fragrant bright yellow flowers.

13) Bromeliads

Bromeliads are a large family of herbaceous perennial plants that thrive in tropical conditions. In temperate areas, bromeliads are frequently grown as houseplants. Bromeliads are usually either epiphytes or terrestrial plants.

These exotic native Brazilian plants come in various forms, but most form rosettes of fleshy lance-shaped leaves. These rosettes allow bromeliads to store rainwater. Most bromeliads also produce flowers with colorful, showy bracts.

14) Flame Vine

Flame vines are vibrant evergreen climbers that work best when trained to climb trellises, walls, and other supports. These popular tropical plants must be sheltered from cold winds.

These native Brazilian flowers have pinnate evergreen leaves consisting of two to three glossy elliptical leaflets and tendrils. Flame vines also have clusters of tubular orange flowers with recurved petals.

15) Golden Trumpet Tree

With their showy clusters of bright yellow flowers, it’s easy to see why golden trumpet trees are Brazil’s national flower. These deciduous trees are popular ornamental trees in gardens and streets throughout Brazil.

Golden trumpet trees have palmate leaves divided into five wedge-shaped leaflets with serrated margins. The yellow flowers bloom during the spring before the leaves emerge.

16) Heliconia

Heliconia flowers are evergreen perennials that are commonly known as lobster claws. Heliconias are fantastic ornamental plants for warm climates because they thrive in Zones 10 and 11.

These intriguing native Brazilian plants have inconspicuous flowers that emerge from colorful, waxy bracts. These bracts resemble lobster claws, hence the common name. The bracts from dense panicles alongside the evergreen oblong leaves.

17) Jacaranda

I think that jacaranda trees are some of Brazil’s most beautiful native plants. These popular ornamental trees have low maintenance requirements and work well as shade trees. Jacaranda trees thrive in full sun and are relatively drought-tolerant.

Jacaranda trees have attractive, scaly, grayish-brown bark and slender branches. Interestingly, these trees have fern-like bipinnate leaves and dense clusters of light blue or violet flowers.

18) Lobeira

Also known as wolf apple plants, lobeira flowers are deciduous shrubs from the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Maned wolves consume the fruits, hence the common name. Humans can also eat ripe lobeira fruits, which make good jams or jellies.

I loved that these native Brazilian flowers have large, deeply lobed leaves that are covered in soft, fuzzy hairs. These shrubs also have purple star-shaped flowers with yellow stamens.

19) Manacá-da-Serra

Manacá-da-Serra trees are evergreen trees that grow in Brazil’s Atlantic forest habitats. As such, these trees thrive in full sun or partial shade. Manacá-da-Serra trees are frequently used as ornamental landscaping trees in Brazil.

Manacá-da-Serra trees have glossy dark green elliptical leaves and clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers. Due to their shallow roots, these trees also grow well in containers.

20) Mandacaru

Also known as cardeiro in Brazil, mandacaru plants are attractive cacti with wooded stems. Each plant produces a group of upright, wrinkled stems covered in spines. These cacti thrive in full sun in Zones 9 to 10.

During the spring, mandacaru plants produce large greenish-white flowers. These flowers unfurl at dusk but only last for a single night.

21) Paepalanthus

Paepalanthus plants are a group of approximately 400 species of perennials from the pipewort family (Eriocaulaceae). Several Paepalanthus species are native to Brazil, including Paepalanthus bromelioides. This species thrives in Brazil’s tropical savanna habitats.

Paepalanthus plants have upright stems bearing variable leaves. These stems are topped with rounded clusters of flowers. These flowers vary depending on the species.

22) Passionflower

Also known as passion fruits, passionflowers are gorgeous tropical vines with intricate flowers. These perennial vines have bluish-green leaves and tendrils. Passionflowers have greenish-white flowers with a central ring of wavy purple filaments that have white tips.

These exotic native Brazilian flowers also produce large reddish-purple edible fruits. Passionflowers are ideal for training up trellises, archways, and other support structures.

23) Pata-de-vaca

Also known as Brazilian orchid trees, these deciduous trees are members of the legume family (Fabaceae). Pata-de-vaca trees are named for their large, orchid-like flowers with five long white petals.

Brazilian orchid trees have heart-shaped leaves with deeply notched tips. These fast-growing trees are often some of the first to colonize disturbed areas of Brazil’s Atlantic forest.

24) Pink Lapacho

Pink lapacho trees are also known as ipê-roxo trees in Brazil. These large deciduous trees are often used as ornamental or landscaping trees. As such, pink lapucho trees are excellent centerpieces for gardens in Zones 10 to 12.

These native Brazilian trees have tough, grayish-brown bark and elliptical leaves with serrated margins. During the summer, pink lapucho trees produce clusters of gorgeous pink flowers.

25) Princess Flower

Princess flowers are majestic shrubs known for their stunning purple flowers. These flowers have five petals and emerge in clusters throughout the year in warm climates. Princess flower shrubs are ideal for urban gardens and grow well in containers.

These evergreen native Brazilian shrubs have a sprawling habit, so do need to be kept in check. Princess flowers have lovely elliptical leaves that are covered in soft hairs. Princess flowers require full sun and grow best in fertile, well-draining soils that still retain some moisture.

26) Quaresmeira

Few Brazilian flowers are as beautiful as quaresmeira shrubs. Also known as purple glory trees, these evergreen shrubs have clusters of vibrant purple flowers with white centers. Quaresmeira shrubs can bloom throughout the year in warm temperatures in Zones 10 and 11.

These beautiful native Brazilian flowers have dark green elliptical leaves with a glossy finish. Clusters of stunning purple flowers accompany these attractive leaves. It’s easy to see why quaresmeira shrubs are so popular as ornamental plants in Brazil.

27) Scarlet Begonia

Also known as angel wing begonias, scarlet begonias are tropical shrubs that are commonly grown as houseplants. These begonias have linear dark green leaves with serrated margins. Sometimes, these leaves are covered in pale spots, adding to the visual interest.

Scarlet begonias flower throughout the year in warm temperatures. These plants produce clusters of small pink heart-shaped flowers. These begonias require lots of sunlight if you want them to bloom indoors. As such, they grow best in bright, indirect light.

28) Vriesea

Vriesea plants belong to a large genus in the bromeliad family. These wonderful bromeliads are popular thanks to their lush rosettes of glossy lance-shaped leaves. The genus was named after Willem Hendrik de Vriese, a 19th-century Dutch botanist.

These lush tropical native Brazilian plants only flower once, producing showy, colorful bracts that conceal the inconspicuous true flowers. However, these plants have several smaller plants called pups.

29) Walker’s Cattleya

Walker’s cattleya orchids are popular houseplants known for their astonishing flowers. These orchids have large pale purple or pink flowers with five long petals. Unlike other cattleya orchids, this species produces flowers from its rhizomes rather than from pseudobulbs.

These orchids are frequently grown as houseplants but can be grown outdoors in Zones 10 to 12. Walker’s cattleya orchids need lots of sunlight to produce flowers.

30) Yellow Lapacho

Known as ipe-aramelo in Brazil, yellow lapacho trees are stunning ornamental trees that thrive in full sun. As some of the strongest tropical trees, yellow lapacho trees are also grown for their hardwood.

Yellow lapacho trees erupt with vibrant clusters of bright yellow flowers from late winter until spring. The flowers are followed by dark green ovate to elliptical leaves. These deciduous trees grow best in Zones 10 to 12.

Wrapping Up

With its high levels of biodiversity, it’s no surprise that Brazil is home to some of the world’s most beautiful flowers. Some of Brazil’s most popular native flowers include anthuriums, begonias, and heliconias. Brazil is also home to some gorgeous flowering trees, such as Brazilian cherry trees and golden trumpet trees.