First State Flowers
Oklahoma became one of the first states to adopt an official flower, choosing the Mistletoe in 1893.
Every U.S. state has designated an official state flower, chosen to represent the state's natural beauty and cultural heritage. These flowers, selected through legislative action or popular vote, often hold special significance in the state's history or ecosystem.
State flowers appear on official state symbols, government buildings, and are frequently featured in local art and culture. Many were chosen for their native status or historical importance to the state.
| State | Official Flower | Scientific Name | Year Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Camellia | Camellia japonica | 1959 |
| Alaska | Forget-me-not | Myosotis alpestris | 1917 |
| Arizona | Saguaro Cactus Blossom | Carnegiea gigantea | 1931 |
| Arkansas | Apple Blossom | Malus domestica | 1901 |
| California | California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica | 1903 |
| Colorado | Rocky Mountain Columbine | Aquilegia caerulea | 1899 |
| Connecticut | Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | 1907 |
| Delaware | Peach Blossom | Prunus persica | 1895 |
| Florida | Orange Blossom | Citrus sinensis | 1909 |
| Georgia | Cherokee Rose | Rosa laevigata | 1916 |
| Hawaii | Yellow Hibiscus | Hibiscus brackenridgei | 1988 |
| Idaho | Syringa | Philadelphus lewisii | 1931 |
| Illinois | Violet | Viola sororia | 1908 |
| Indiana | Peony | Paeonia | 1957 |
| Iowa | Wild Rose | Rosa pratincola | 1897 |
| Kansas | Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | 1903 |
| Kentucky | Goldenrod | Solidago gigantea | 1926 |
| Louisiana | Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | 1900 |
| Maine | White Pine Cone and Tassel | Pinus strobus | 1895 |
| Maryland | Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | 1918 |
| Massachusetts | Mayflower | Epigaea repens | 1918 |
| Michigan | Apple Blossom | Malus domestica | 1897 |
| Minnesota | Pink and White Lady's Slipper | Cypripedium reginae | 1902 |
| Mississippi | Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | 1952 |
| Missouri | Hawthorn Blossom | Crataegus | 1923 |
| Montana | Bitterroot | Lewisia rediviva | 1895 |
| Nebraska | Goldenrod | Solidago serotina | 1895 |
| Nevada | Sagebrush | Artemisia tridentata | 1917 |
| New Hampshire | Purple Lilac | Syringa vulgaris | 1919 |
| New Jersey | Violet | Viola sororia | 1913 |
| New Mexico | Yucca | Yucca glauca | 1927 |
| New York | Rose | Rosa | 1955 |
| North Carolina | Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | 1941 |
| North Dakota | Wild Prairie Rose | Rosa arkansana | 1907 |
| Ohio | Scarlet Carnation | Dianthus caryophyllus | 1904 |
| Oklahoma | Mistletoe | Phoradendron serotinum | 1893 |
| Oregon | Oregon Grape | Mahonia aquifolium | 1899 |
| Pennsylvania | Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | 1933 |
| Rhode Island | Violet | Viola palmata | 1968 |
| South Carolina | Yellow Jessamine | Gelsemium sempervirens | 1924 |
| South Dakota | Pasque Flower | Pulsatilla patens | 1903 |
| Tennessee | Iris | Iris | 1933 |
| Texas | Bluebonnet | Lupinus texensis | 1901 |
| Utah | Sego Lily | Calochortus nuttallii | 1911 |
| Vermont | Red Clover | Trifolium pratense | 1895 |
Many states chose native wildflowers as their symbols, like Oklahoma's Mistletoe and California's California Poppy.
The Purple Violet is claimed by multiple states, including Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
State flowers bloom in different seasons, from Alaska's summer Forget-me-nots to Alabama's winter-blooming Camellia.
Many state flowers have deep cultural roots, like Hawaii's Yellow Hibiscus (Ma'o hau hele) in traditional lei making.
Oklahoma became one of the first states to adopt an official flower, choosing the Mistletoe in 1893.
The Women's Federation of Garden Clubs played a crucial role in selecting many state flowers during this period.
States began choosing native species to promote conservation awareness and local pride.
State flowers now play important roles in conservation efforts and environmental education programs.
Hawaii's Yellow Hibiscus (Ma'o hau hele) is one of the rarest state flowers, found only in specific Hawaiian islands.
The Rose, in various species, is the state flower of multiple states including New York, Oklahoma, and North Dakota.
Several state flowers are edible, including Oregon's Oregon Grape and Vermont's Red Clover.
Many state flowers were first used by Native Americans for medicine, like Utah's Sego Lily and Nevada's Sagebrush.