A Guide to the Official State Flowers of the USA

Since its declaration in 1985, the rose has been the National Floral Emblem of the United States, however each individual state (district and territory as well) also has its own state flower. Learn more about state flowers, their latin names and the year state legislation made them official:

State symbols are a way to recognize unique qualities, features, and cultures of each state. The state symbols can be used to educate people about the natural elements and animals found in the area or the industries that bring pride to the state’s people. These symbols are also a snapshot for visitors of what the state has to offer. Just a few categories of state symbols include:

• Colors
• >Flags
• Mottos
• Seals
• Amphibians
• Fish
• Insects
• Plants
• Reptiles
• Trees
• Rocks
• Dances
• Coins
• Poems
• Songs
• Sports
• Toys

Among the many other types of symbols are state flowers. The flower is chosen by each state government (sometimes with the help of citizens) either because the flower grows widely across the state, or has a historical meaning related to the state. Governments look at the various qualities of the flower such as color, fragrance, fruit, growing location, and symbolic meaning when selecting their flower. Some states even feature blooms on their flags including:

• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Virginia
• West Virginia

The flower chosen for each state is:

Alabama: Camellia. These fluffy pink or white flowers originally hail from Asia and have the meaning of elegance and grace.

Alaska: Forget-me-not. The tiny blooms of Forget-me-nots are as blue as pure Alaskan waters.

Arizona: Saguaro Cactus Blossom. The white blossoms have a daisy-like appearance and bloom from the signature cacti of the desert southwest. 

Arkansas: Apple Blossom. Their light pink and white colors symbolize the beginning of spring. 

California: California Poppy. This flower is native to the Pacfic coast and is unmistakable with its bright red and yellow petals. 

Colorado: Rocky Mountain Columbine. School children voted in 1899 to make this unique pastel blossom with a white center their state flower.

Connecticut: Mountain Laurel. These pink and white flowers grow plentifully on bushes throughout the northeast. 

Delaware: Peach Blossom. It has represented this state known for growing peaches since 1895. 

Florida: Orange Blossom. The small white flowers are seen on Florida’s many delicious orange trees. 

Georgia: Cherokee Rose. Officially designated in 1916, it is a white climbing flower that originally came from China.

Hawaii: Hibiscus. A large and colorful flower that has become synonymous with tropical beaches.

Idaho: Mock Orange. These white flowers grow plentifully on bushes, giving a large and showy appearance. They are perfectly suited to grow in Idaho’s colder climate. 

Illinois: Purple Violet. The small flower that blooms each spring was chosen in 1908. 

Indiana: Peony. It means “prosperity,” and is one of the most desirable cut flowers for its fluffy petals and sweet fragrance.

Iowa: Wild Prairie Rose. A rugged version of the rose that is a hallmark of Iowa pastures and fields. 

Kansas: Sunflower. The yellow blooms symbolize good fortune and vitality and stand tall in wide open Kansas fields. 

Kentucky: Goldenrod. Held dear by Kentuckians, but considered a weed by some, this yellow flower that lives by roadsides and in pastures has a flame-like shape. 

Louisiana: Magnolia. The state has held this flower that grows on trees and bushes since 1900. It has the meaning of serenity and strength, and is one of the first signs of spring. 

Maine: White Pine Tassel and Cone. This is not actually a flower at all, but an important symbol of the “pine tree state” that even appears on the state’s flag. 

Maryland: Black-eyed Susan. Popular perennials that resemble their relative, the sunflower. 

Massachusetts: Mayflower. This small, white bloom symbolizes the purity of the pilgrims who sailed a vessel of the same name to this state in the 1620s.

Michigan: Apple Blossom. This small pink flower symbolizes one of the state’s major exports, apples. 

Minnesota: Pink and White Lady Slipper. These members of the orchid family are one of several orchids that grow wild in this state. 

Mississippi: Magnolia. A southern classic, it is no wonder that several of the lower states claim this as their symbol. 

Missouri: Hawthorn. Missourians selected this white tree flower in 1923.

Montana: Bitterroot. A purple flower used in Native American medicine that was popularized by Montana explorers, Lewis and Clark.

Nebraska: Goldenrod. This symbol is shared with Kentucky and is plentiful across much of the U.S.

Nevada: Sagebrush. With sage foliage and yellow blooms, this medicinal plant is plentiful in “the Sagebrush state.”

New Hampshire: Purple Lilac. The hardy spring perennially was chosen to reflect the hardiness of the people in “the granite state.”

New Jersey: Violet. Chosen in 1971, the violet is a more recent addition to “the Garden state’s” list of symbols. 

New Mexico: Yucca. These white flowers grow on tall stems making them beacons nicknamed, “lamps of the Lord.” The yucca plant is also edible. 

New York: Rose. One of the most popular and widespread flowers is a fitting symbol for a major world hub. 

North Carolina: Flowering Dogwood. The daisy-shaped white or pink flower that grows on trees was chosen as the symbol in 1941. 

North Dakota: Wild Prairie Rose. These pink wildflowers are also the state symbol of Iowa. 

Ohio: Scarlet Carnation. Chosen for its meaning of resiliency, the red carnation was also often worn by Ohio-born president, William McKinley. 

Oklahoma: Mistletoe. The plant’s leathery leaves and meaning of vitality represent the strength of Oklahoma.  

Oregon: Oregon Grape. The yellow flower that blooms from this grape plant is native to the Pacfic coast. 

Pennsylvania: Mountain Laurel. The pink and white flowers grow on bushes all throughout the state’s mountains. 

Rhode Island: Violet. A gardeny blue and purple flower shared as a symbol with New Jersey. 

South Carolina: Yellow Jessamine. The flower’s beautiful fragrance and trumpet shape are very attractive to birds and bees. The vine flower has a traditional southern look. 

South Dakota: Pasque Flower. Part of the buttercup family, the purple flowers with fuzzy foliage are attractive to bees and signal springtime. 

Tennessee: Iris. The flowers come in a variety of unique colors and shapes and symbolize wisdom, hope, and trust. 

Texas: Texas Bluebonnet. Each of these wildflowers clustered along the stem look like a vibrant, blue lady’s bonnet. 

Utah: Sego Lily. These white, lavender, or yellow flowers dot the grassy rangelands of Utah’s basins. 

Vermont: Red Clover. This round, reddish flower is found all over Vermont’s fields but was actually a transplant from Europe. 

Virginia: Flowering Dogwood. The dogwood’s pink or white flowers are a welcome sign of Spring. No wonder the flower was chosen by several states as a symbol. 

Washington: Coast Rhododendron. This large-leaf variety of the rhododendron is native to the Pacific Coast. The large pink and white flowers earned it the name meaning “tree rose.”

West Virginia: Rhododendron. The attractive, showy flowers native to the Appalachian region are the perfect choice for a state symbol. 

Wisconsin: Violet. School children chose the wood violet as a symbol of the state’s scenic beauty in 1909. 

Wyoming: Indian Paintbrush. The flower’s red petals make it resemble a paint brush. They can be found all throughout western prairies. 

Many of the state flower symbols are wildflowers or plants that are not typically used as fresh cut flowers. While some may be found in flower shops for purchase, you may be lucky enough to see your state flower outside your own window. Researching your state flower is a fun way to learn about your state’s history and natural environment. You may impress friends and family when you can identify your state’s bloom out in the wild.

This article was created by Chad Kremp