The state flower of the Golden State is the golden (orange) California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica).
State Flowers
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The state flower of Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, is found south of the Canyon, at the other end of the state. Each beautiful white cactus flowers of the Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) usually opens for only one night and day. Saguaro blossoms are among the tallest state flowers. The tallest Saguaro ever measured was 23.8 m.
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Among the other contenders for tallest state flower, one is not truly a flower at all.
Maine's state 'flower' is the strobilus (cone) of the Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), a non-flowering conifer. After all, Maine is the Pine Tree State, and yes, the state tree is also Eastern White Pine.
Maine's state 'flower' is the strobilus (cone) of the Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), a non-flowering conifer. After all, Maine is the Pine Tree State, and yes, the state tree is also Eastern White Pine.
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Louisiana and Mississippi both chose the Magnolia as their state flower, though Louisiana did it first in 1900; Mississippi not until 1952. It is not clear if a single species of Magnolia was chosen to represent either state, but most often, the Southern Magnolia or Bull Bay (Magnolia grandiflora) is given this pride of place. As the tallest Magnolia grandiflora clocks in at an astounding 111 feet (33.8 m), it is also certainly the very tallest of all the state flowers of the U.S.
Another two-for-one. Both Arkansas (1901) and Michigan (1897) have chosen the ephemerally ethereal apple blossom (Malus) as their state flower. Not only sweetly fragrant and lovely to behold; for also, at each blossom's base is the birthplace of the prime ingredient of that most American of desserts, the apple pie.
Connecticut (1907) and Pennsylvania (1933) both chose the stately grace of the Mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia).
Also known as Calico Bush and Spoonwood, this evergreen shrub or small tree in the Heath Family (Ericaceae) is endemic to the eastern third of the United States.
Also known as Calico Bush and Spoonwood, this evergreen shrub or small tree in the Heath Family (Ericaceae) is endemic to the eastern third of the United States.
The adjacent states Of North Carolina (1941) and Virginia (1918) both chose the Eastern Dogwood (Cornus florida).
The actual flowers of this species are small, yellow-green florets grouped into an umbel-like head surrounded by four, large,
white or pink bracts, that give the appearance of a single, large, showy flower.
The Eastern Dogwood is native to much of the eastern U.S., as well as Ontario and northeastern Mexico.
The actual flowers of this species are small, yellow-green florets grouped into an umbel-like head surrounded by four, large,
white or pink bracts, that give the appearance of a single, large, showy flower.
The Eastern Dogwood is native to much of the eastern U.S., as well as Ontario and northeastern Mexico.
In 1918, Massachusetts chose a native heath (Ericaceae), known as the Mayflower (Epigaea repens), to be its state emblem.
Also known as Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens, native to much of eastern North America, is one of three species in its genus.
The other two species being native to Japan (E. asiatica) and Anatolia & the Caucasus (E. gaultherioides).
Despite the fitting common name of this plant, the famous English ship, The Mayflower, was named after a different plant, a type of British and Eurasian Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which also usually flowers in May.
Also known as Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens, native to much of eastern North America, is one of three species in its genus.
The other two species being native to Japan (E. asiatica) and Anatolia & the Caucasus (E. gaultherioides).
Despite the fitting common name of this plant, the famous English ship, The Mayflower, was named after a different plant, a type of British and Eurasian Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which also usually flowers in May.
In 1899, Colorado chose one of their most beautiful wildflowers to be its floral emblem. The blue and white flowers of the Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) are stunning to behold. This member of the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). Is native to all six of the Rocky Mountain states, and also extends further westward into Arizona and Nevada.
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Alabama has 2. The official state flower is Camillia, which replaced the Goldenrod previously holding the position. The story is that the ladies of Butler County decided a weed was not appropriate.
But camillia is not a native flower so it was elected that the official native flower is oak-leaf hydrangea (bartr). Narrowed down in 1999, no doubt due to the explosion of popular varieties in the state.
But camillia is not a native flower so it was elected that the official native flower is oak-leaf hydrangea (bartr). Narrowed down in 1999, no doubt due to the explosion of popular varieties in the state.
Hydrangea quercifolia is a truly exceptional shrub, with the beauty of both leaves and flowers elevated by an aesthetic synergy.
Though, that is a shame about Goldenrod (Solidago), which is neither a weed nor a common allergen, as is often erroneously reported.
...and yes, I'm a big fan of many Camellia as well.
Though, that is a shame about Goldenrod (Solidago), which is neither a weed nor a common allergen, as is often erroneously reported.
...and yes, I'm a big fan of many Camellia as well.
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Actually, both Kentucky (1936) and Nebraska (1895) recognize the native Giant Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) as the State Flower. Furthermore, South Carolina recently (2003) made the Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) the State Wildflower.
Both species mentioned are widespread in North America. Solidago gigantea is pictured below.
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Several species of annual Bluebonnet Lupine (Lupinus subcarnosus, L. texensis, etc.), in the Pea Family (Fabaceae), are recognized as the State Flower of Texas. At first, in 1901, only the Sandland Bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus) was given this honor, but this was changed in 1971 to include species found in other parts of this large, biologically diverse state. Pictured: Lupinus texensis.
In 1927, New Mexico selected the large, white blossoms of Yucca to their State Flower. No particular species was chosen,
but ten and twelve species are native to the state, depending on taxonomy. Pictured below is Schott's Yucca (Yucca x schottii),
a naturally occurring hybrid of Banana Yucca (Yucca Baccata) and Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata).
but ten and twelve species are native to the state, depending on taxonomy. Pictured below is Schott's Yucca (Yucca x schottii),
a naturally occurring hybrid of Banana Yucca (Yucca Baccata) and Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata).
Specifically, in 1988, the state of Hawaii chose the native yellow Hibiscus, Pua Aloalo (Hibiscus brackenridgei) as its State Flower.
Also known as Ma`o-hau-hele, this rare shrub is occurs in dry forest habitat on the six largest islands of Hawaii.
There are two subspecies: H. brackenridgei ssp. brackenridgei is found on Hawaii (Big Island), Lanai, Maui, and Molokai;
H. brackenridgei ssp. mokuleianus is found on Kauai and Oahu.
