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State Symbols
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Official state symbols represent the cultural heritage
and natural treasures of each state or the entire United States |
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Maine Symbols
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Maine State Herb
Wintergreen
(Gaultheria procumbens)
Adopted in 1999
Wintergreen was adopted by the legislature of 1999 as the state herb. Wintergreen grows in wooded areas and in some clearings from Canada to Georgia. The low growing, glossy leafed herb provides an attractive ground cover; in particular from fall to winter when red berries adorn the plants. In July, the plants bloom, producing white bell shaped flowers.
Traditionally wintergreen has been used for its soothing qualities providing relief from a variety of ailments. Native Americans crushed the leaves and applied them in order to relieve strained muscles and inflammations. Additionally, teas made from wintergreen relieve internal discomforts like sore throats and upset stomachs. Some early colonists even substituted wintergreen for their regular tea, which was heavily taxed during the American Revolution. Today wintergreen is used to flavor gum, candy, and toothpaste.
Maine Legislature Archives
§221. State herb
The herb wintergreen (gaultheria procumbens) is the official state herb. [1999, c. 27, §1 (new).]
Section History:
PL 1999, Ch. 27, §1 (NEW).
Taxonomic Hierarchy
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| Kingdom |
Plantae – Plants |
| Subkingdom |
Tracheobionta – Vascular plants |
| Superdivision |
Spermatophyta – Seed plants |
| Division |
Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons |
| Subclass |
Dilleniidae – |
| Order |
Ericales – |
| Family |
Ericaceae – Heath family |
| Genus |
Gaultheria L. – snowberry |
| Species |
Gaultheria procumbens L. – eastern teaberry |
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State Symbols
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State symbols represent things that are special to a
particular state.
symbol \ˈsim-bəl\
noun
Etymology:
in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in
other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token
of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together,
compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date: 15th century
1: Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or
convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.
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