• The ceibo is the national flower of Argentina.flor del ceibo image by Norberto Lauria from Fotolia.com
  
  South America, situated around the steamy equator, is a place where plant life thrives. From deep within the cloud forests of Chile to the shores of Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia, one can find a variety of exotic and colorful flowers.
  
  

Flor de Mayo

• The Flor de Mayo or May Flower (Cattleya trianae) is the national flower of Colombia. The flower is sometimes called the Christmas Orchid because it is a member of the orchid family. It blooms in the wintertime, which in the Southern Hemisphere begins in May. The Flor de Mayo can be found on epiphyte plants in the various cloud forests of South America. The flower features a purplish hue and a bell with a yellow center sprouting from the middle.
  
  

Cantuta

• The cantuta flower (Cantua buxifolia) is the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. It can also be found in parts of northern Chile. Often called the Sacred Flower of the Incas, the cantuta has a role in many native legends. The flower, which blooms in late spring, hangs from branches in a slender, cylindrical shape and is a mix of pink, purple and white. The cantuta grows in the valleys of the Yungas forest.
  
  

Copihue

• The copihue or Chilean bellflower (Lapageria rosea) is the national flower of Chile. The flower is part of the lily family and can be found in the cloud forests of Chile where the soil is moist. As its name suggests, the bellflower, which hangs downward, has a distinct bell shape, along with bright red pedals. The copihue blooms from summer to late fall.
  
  

Ceibo

• The ceibo is the national flower of Argentina. It grows from the tree Erythrina cristagalli, which in English-speaking countries is referred to as a Cockspur coral tree. There are many local legends about the ceibo flower in Argentina. The flower has red leaves, along with a similarly colored pod protruding from the center. The ceibo blossoms in the South American spring, which is in early October. Although it can be found in many parts of the continent, the flower is most prevalent in the Atlantic forest in Brazil.
  
  

Ipê-amarelo

• Brazilians call their national flower Ipê-amarelo or Ipê (Tabebuia chrysantha) for short. Ipê-amarelo is the name of both the flower and the tree. The Ipê is a bright yellow-colored, five-leaf flower that normally blooms from August to September, which in Brazil is the start of the spring season.