e-ReferenceDesk's College and 50 State Learning Resource Guide

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Flowers & Floral Emblems

State Symbols

The term floral emblem, which refers to flowers specifically, is primarily used in Australia and Canada. In the United States, the term state flower is more often used

Official State Flowers & Floral Emblems

State Flowers and State Floral Emblems

Each of the 50 states have designated an official tree and flower. Many of the state flowers are from other parts of the world and were chosen because of their beauty or importance, not because they represent the natural flora of the state they represent. Some of the Latin names you see here may be different from those you may have seen before due to changes in plant nomenclature; we have chosen to list the current valid botanical name. Where more than one accepted common name exists, the common name in the legislation has been listed.

One state even lists a state flower that is not a flower at all.

Maine designated the white pine cone and tassel as its state flower. Botanically, these are not considered flowers since gymnosperms do not have true flowers. The reproductive structures of pines are known as strobili. You could accurately state that Maine is the only state to have an official state strobilae. If you thought Oklahoma was the right answer, you are nearly correct. Mistletoe is a plant and is not a flower. It is, however, a flowering plant and bears true flowers, even though they are not showy.

US Official State Flowers and State Floral Emblems

State Flowers

Find images and a brief history of the flowers representing, usually by legislative action, the state symbols of each of the fifty states. Many of the state flowers are actually trees -- some states have chosen the same species as state tree and as state flower.

flow·er (flour)
n.
1.
a. It is the reproductive structure of many seed-bearing plants, typically having either specialized male or female organs or both male and female organs, like stamens and a pistil, enclosed in an outer envelope of petals and sepals. b. Such a structure having showy or colorful parts; a blossom.
2. A plant that is cultivated or cherished for its blossoms. 3. The condition or a time of having developed flowers: The violets were in full flower. 4. Something, such as an decoration or a figure of speech that resembles a flower in shape, fineness, or attractiveness.