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

Find Online Colleges

Find Campus Colleges

Flowers & Floral Emblems

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.

Nebraska Symbols

Nebraska State Flower

Goldenrod

(Solidago serotina)

Adopted on April 4, 1895.

The goldenrod, Soldiago gigantea, was declared the state flower in 1895.

A concurrent resolution giving the state a floral emblem was introduced by Rep. L. P. Judd of Boone County. Numerous species of goldenrod grow throughout the state.

The measure was supported by University botanist Dr. Charles Bessey. Undoubtedly, the article written by Miss Brockman, who was the daughter of Rep. John M. Brockman of Stella, had some part in seeing the resolution signed into law by then-governor Silas A. Holcomb. The article written by Ida Brockman, daughter of Rep. John M. Brockman of Stella, said:

"There is probably not a nook or corner of the state where one or more of the numerous species of goldenrod are not found. It is a native, and only a true native should be our representative. It has a long season, and nothing could better represent the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers. "

The resolution was signed into law by then-governor Silas A. Holcomb on April 4, 1985.

Source: Nebraska Bluebook, 1994-95, pg. 25.

The goldenrod is an erect, coarse-looking perennial herb that is usually about two or three feet tall. The small flower heads, which are almost always yellow but sometimes have cream-colored or white rays, are grouped into either elongated or flattish clusters. The flowers appear from July through October.

Plant Type: This is a Native herbaceous plant perennial forb. Ususlly erect and often tall.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate. Most leaves are toothed but a few species have entire leaves.
Flowers: Blooms July-October. The flowers have numerous parts. They are yellow sometimes white. Blooms first appear in mid summer and continue into mid fall. The center and rays are yellow. The rays are few, seldom more than ten. Groups of flowers are often clustered on the top edge of branches near or at the top of the plant.
Habitat: Various
Range: Most all of North America

Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom	Plantae -- Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta -- Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons
Subclass	Asteridae –
Order	Asterales –
Family	Asteraceae – Aster family
Genus	Solidago L. – goldenrod

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.