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Know Your State Flowers
by Wendy Aiton
http://www.flowerwa.com
Every state in the United States has an official state
flower, usually chosen by an act of the legislature. Many
have tales behind their choosing that read like a fine
suspense thriller.
Every one of the fifty states has chosen by legislation or
by tradition, a flower to represent their state. The violet
is the most popular flower, but it's not the only flower
that's been chosen by more than one state. Both Michigan
and Arkansas are represented by the apple blossom; the
goldenrod is the state flower of Kentucky and Nebraska; and
the wild prairie rose is the state flower of both Iowa and
North Dakota.
2. Many states have chosen flowers that are native to their
state, but only two state flowers bear the state name.
Which state are the only two whose flowers bears its name?
The rhododendron is also the state flower of West Virginia,
but in this case, it's the rhododendron maximum, or great
laurel. It, too was chosen by a popular vote - one that
counted votes by schoolchildren across the state.
The violet isn't the only flower that has been chosen by
more than one state. The dainty apple blossom is the state
flower of both Arkansas and Michigan. It's one of four
fruit blossoms to be named official state flower. The
others are the peach blossom, official state flower of
Delawae, the orange blossom, the state flower of Florida,
and the Oregon grape, which represents Oregon.
Most states have chosen flowers that are native growers.
Hawaii's state flower, for instance, is the yellow
hibiscus. Hawaii shares a trait with many other states -
the yellow hibiscus was not the legislature's original
choice. Until 1988, the official state flower was just the
hibiscus, and many older sources show a red hibiscus.
Of the other states that have changed their official flower
the record holder has got to be Indiana. The legislators of
the Hoosier state chose no less than four different flowers
to represent their state. Originally, the carnation was the
state flower of Indiana. In 1931, the state legislature
chose to recognize the zinnia instead. That lasted nearly
a quarter of a century. In 1957, the legislators changed
the state flower twice - first to the dogwood blossom, and
finally, to the flowers that represent the state to this
day - the peony.
Other states have chosen flowers that symbolize an
important state crop. Delaware, for instance, chose the
peach blossom as its official flower during a time that the
state was a major exporter of fresh peaches. Florida is
represented by - what else - the orange blossom. Along the
same lines, Oregon chose the blossom of the Oregon grape,
a major export product, as its state flower.
8. Some states specifically named only one phylum or
color of flower to be their official state representative.
What color is the state flower of Hawaii?
The entire list of state flowers, along with full color
pictures and interesting facts can be found at
www.50states.com
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