State Botanical Symbols

By Alan McPherson

From the white pine of Maine's' northeastern forests, westward to the yellow hibiscus of Hawaii's Polynesian islands, our states's official botanical symbols are as uniquely diverse as the terrain and character of the 50 states themselves.

In this reference book over 200 state botanical symbols are presented with informative text that highlights their adoptive legislation, botanical and social history. Color photo montages add visual interest to the pages.

Alan McPherson is a naturalist who resides in northern Indiana and enjoys traveling and learning about the botanical resources our our vast country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481748858

Alan McPherson

Alan McPherson is professor of history at Temple University and the author of The Invaded: How Latin Americans and their Allies Fought and Ended U.S. Occupations.

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© 2013 . All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 6/6/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4884-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4885-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013908242

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Contents

Introduction

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

American Samoa, Unorganized Unincorporated Territory

Guam, Unincorporated Territory

Northern Marianas, Commonwealth of

Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of

Virgin Islands, Unincorporated Territory

Botanical Symbols of the Canadian Provinces & Territories

Image Attribution Credits

Abbreviations

Glossary

Introduction

All of the fifty states and most of the outlying territories have officially adopted botanical and other symbols that proudly represent themselves. Beginning in the 1890s, the incentive for adopting state flowers was inspired by the Women’s Congress of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, when state’s selected representative flowers and floral emblems to accompany the exhibits of the National Garland of Flowers. The World’s Fair spurred states to choose emblematic flowers and several of the flower choices became the first officially sanctioned state botanical symbols. Over the past century, the number of official state botanic symbols has grown to nearly 250.

Be it a flower, tree, shrub, fruit, nut, herb, vegetable, grain, crop, grass, beverage, dessert, garden, or significant other, official botanic symbols bear a distinctive meaning and lasting contribution, often indicative of a state’s character and identity. Plant symbols are often indigenous, commonplace, beautiful and revered by its citizens, but may be non-native, uncommon, ordinary, useful or practical; however, every chosen symbol has nearly universal appeal among its citizenry. Elected symbols highlight each state’s unique cultural heritage and natural treasures.

Suggestions for plant symbols have come from a variety of sources. Many have been chosen by schoolchildren, garden clubs, plant societies and nature organizations, but some have been selected by commercial industrial interests, marketing and tourism and self-promoting individuals. During each legislative session, ideas for new symbols come from constituents who lobby their legislators to file resolutions to adopt symbols that hold true historical value to the state, symbols that deserve endorsement and special recognition. Each chosen symbol is a singular tangible representation that reflects a sense of overwhelming pride and patriotism of each individual state.

Each botanic symbol has its own story that goes much deeper than what is presented in the following pages. From Alabama to Wyoming, this alphabetical presentation includes verbatim, parts of, or the entire endorsing statutes, minus some legal locutions, plus a brief social and natural history thereof. Each state’s symbols are listed by the year of adoption from the earliest to the most recent. Within the statutes, botanic symbols may have been identified by lawmakers in general such as an entire genus or family or specifically by individual species. Occasionally, legislators mis-identify or misspell the correct scientific name of a plant and amendments to the original statute are often endorsed. Scientific names are constantly reclassified by botanists to place each plant with its proper family, genus and species. The accompanying montages of each state’s botanic symbols add visual appeal to the pages.

The selection of botanic symbols symbolizes the great geographic diversity of the American landscape. It is important to acknowledge their special contribution and promote and protect our natural resources. As distinct reminders of the abundant and rich diversity of our treasured heritage, they exemplify the varied floral bounty of the forest, wetlands, plains, mountains and deserts, from sea to shining sea. State botanic symbols are important as they recognize the independent spirit and proud heritage of each state. Symbols are a suitable reflection of how a state views itself and helps us to be recognizable by other nation states beyond our borders.

Through correspondence with numerous government officials, librarians and individuals, a wealth of information was collected. The lion’s share of the graphic images was derived from Wikipedia and the numerous individuals thereof who have shared their creativity with the world. A special recognition goes to Cynthia Phillips who created the eye-pleasing montages. The undertaking has been a valuable learning experience for the author and it is his sincere hope that the readers consulting this compilation will become better acquainted with the botanical kingdom. I am deeply grateful and indebted to the numerous institutions and individuals for their inestimable assistance and encouragement during the preparation of this work. Thank you! Alan McPherson

Alabama.jpg

Alabama

State Flower-Camellia (Camellia japonica)-State Wildflower-Oak-Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

The camellia, Camellia japonica L., is hereby designated and named as the official state flower of Alabama. The oak-leaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia Bart., is hereby designated and name as the official state wildflower of Alabama. 1927, 1959, 1999.

Adopted in 1927, the goldenrod (Solidago genus) was elected the first official state flower of Alabama, but was replaced by the elegant, winter-blooming camellia in 1959. In 1999, the species Camellia japonica, the most widely grown ornamental species of the genus, was declared the state flower. Native to southern and eastern Asia, the evergreen shrub is a member of the Tea or Theacea Family. The attractive flowers resemble a rose. Cultivated mostly in southern Alabama, cold hardy varieties are grown throughout the state.

The oak-leaf hydrangea was declared the official state wildflower in 1999. A member of the Saxifragaceae Family, the deciduous, shade-loving shrub bears white flowers in erect terminal panicles in April and May. The broadly ovate, simple leaves have five to seven sharp lobes that resemble the oak leaf (Quercus). The native range is centered in Alabama.

State Tree-Southern Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)

The southern longleaf pine, Pinus palustris Miller, is hereby designated and named as the official state tree of Alabama. 1949, 1997.

Originally all 12 native pines were designated the state tree in 1949, but was changed to the specific species, Pinus palustris in 1997. The longleaf pine is primarily distributed in the southern two-thirds of Alabama, often in pure stands on sunny, dry upland soils. The tree is used for turpentine, rosin, pulp, timber, ties, poles and furniture.

State Nut-Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

The pecan is designated as official State nut of the State of Alabama. 1982.

There are over 1,000 varieties of pecan which are grown commercially throughout Alabama especially in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Alabama produces 13 to 15 million pounds of pecans annually. The pecan was declared the state nut by the legislature due to the influential efforts of the Alabama Pecan Growers Association.

State Fruit-Blackberry (Rubus occidentalis)

The Blackberry, Rubus, R. occidentalis, is hereby designated and named as the official fruit of Alabama. 2004.

The blackberry was adopted as the state fruit by a proposal from teachers and third grade students at Fairhope Elementary school. The dark purple edible fruit is often cooked and made into cobblers or delicious jellies. It is also an important summer fruit for wildlife.

State Tree Fruit-Peach (Prunus persica)

The Peach, Rosaceae, genus Prunus, species P. persica, is hereby designated as the official State tree fruit of Alabama. 2006.

Native to China, the peach is a member of the rose or Rosaceae Family. The state of Alabama ranks fourth among the peach growing states with about 4,000 acres. The major producing counties are Blount, Limestone, Mobile, Houston and especially Chilton County which produces two-thirds of the state’s crop. Some of the common varieties grown include Springprince, Rubyprince, Juneprince, Harvester, Fireprince, Redhaven, Loring, O’Henry and Flameprince.

Alaska.jpg

Alaska

State Flower & Floral Emblem-Alpine Forget-me-Not (Myosotis alpestris ssp. asiatica)

"WHEREAS,…Alaska has a wildflower which grows on every hill and in every valley; and,

WHEREAS,…this flower is emblematic of the quality of constancy, the dominant trait of

the intrepid pioneers, who,…have opened for development a nation’s treasure house; and,

WHEREAS, the Grand Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska has indorsed this floral gem as the

territorial flower of Alaska; Therefore, Be it enacted by the legislature of the Territory of Alaska:

That the wild forget-me-not is hereby made, designated, and declared to be the territorial flower

and floral emblem of the Territory of Alaska." 1917.

The wild native forget-me-not is the state flower and floral emblem. 1959.

The Territorial Legislature included the following poem in the margin of the bill:

"A little flower blossoms forth

On every hill and dale,

The emblem of the Pioneers

Upon the rugged trails;

The Pioneers have asked it

And we could deny them not;

So the emblem of Alaska

Is the blue Forget-me-not."

The forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris subspecies asiatica), a perennial member of the Boraginaceae Family, is found throughout Alaska from Hyder to the Arctic Coast, west to the Aleutian Islands. The wildflower blooms from late June to late July in open rocky sites in mountain alpine meadows. The blue flowers are arranged in short terminal clusters and are very fragrant in the evening. The blue field of the state flag represents the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not flower.

State Tree-Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)

"The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) which is recognized as the most valuable tree species in Alaska and which is found

in both national forests of the state, is the official tree of the state." 1962.

Sitka spruce, the tallest conifer in the world, is found from sea level to the timber line in coastal forests throughout southeast Alaska, south to California. The largest trees have an age of 500 to 700 years or more. It is the principal saw-timber tree of southeast Alaska. Both the common and scientific names honor the southeast Alaska community of Sitka and Sitka Island, now Baranof Island, where the town of Sitka is located. The Tongass and Chugach National Forests are home to the tall and stately blue-green needle trees that have an age ranging from 400 to 700 years. The flat fragrant needles have two white bands above on each side. The tree often propagates by layering. Sitka spruce forms more than 20 percent of the hemlock-spruce coastal forest of Alaska and also occurs in pure stands.

Arizona.jpg

Arizona

State Flower-Saguaro Cactus (Cereus giganteus syn. Carnegiea gigantea)

"The pure white waxy flower of the