Turk's Head Cactus

The name "Turks and Caicos" makes you wonder about the connection between this country and Turkey. The fact is, there isn't one. The country's name comes from a cactus that grows here and the Lucayan term "caya hico," which means string of islands.

Turk's Head Cactus

The cactus got its name from its cylindrical red flowering top, which to some early botanist must have resembled a Turkish fez. The cactus is now the national plant, appearing on both the national seal and flag. Amusingly enough, I read once that when the original draft of the seal was sent to the UK for approval, a British artist mistook the cactus for an igloo, added an entrance way and painted it white. So the igloo briefly became a national symbol of the Turks and Caicos! The UK is supposed to produce the world's best geographers, but somebody overlooked the fact that 21.5°N latitude is a little warm for igloos.

Turks and Caicos Flag