More State Flowers of America: Symbols, Stories & Selections

Continuing the tour of state floral emblems — each with unique heritage.

Notable Selections

• Kansas: Native Sunflower — "Sunflower State," frontier past, golden future.
• Kentucky: Goldenrod (30 varieties, unspecified). Former: Blue Grass, Trumpet Vine.
• Louisiana: Magnolia (1900). Iris = State Wildflower (1990).
• Maine: Pine Cone & Tassel — inspired by 1983 World Expo "National Garland" project.
• Maryland: Black-Eyed Susan — colors harmonize with other state symbols.
• Massachusetts: Mayflower (pilgrim namesake) — schoolchildren chose over Water Lily.
• Michigan: Apple Blossom (1897) — landscape allure.
• Minnesota: Pink & White Lady Slipper — 1893 Chicago World Fair link.
• Mississippi: Magnolia — same fair inspiration.
• Missouri: Hawthorn Blossom (1923), uncontested.
• Montana: Bitterroot — century-old choice, beat Primrose & Wild Rose.
• Nebraska: Goldenrod — ubiquitous native, pioneers' endurance symbol.
• Nevada: Sagebrush — emblem first, then state flower.
• New Hampshire: Purple Lilac (1919), no opposition.
• New Jersey: Common Meadow Violet (1971).
• New Mexico: Yucca Flower ("Lord's Candles") — visually unique, legislated 1927.
• New York: Rose (Tea Rose) — schoolchildren overrode Goldenrod (1892), official 1955 "in any color."

History, ecology, and civic pride — rooted in every petal.