Flower flashback: Test your knowledge of state blooms

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Flower flashback: Test your knowledge of state blooms

by Jacqueline

May 27, 2008

Just like a picture is worth a thousand words, flowers express the good things in life – strength, renewal, abundance and grace. So lots of cities and countries around the world have designated flowers to capitalize on those desirable traits, sort of like flowers as civic logos.

In the U.S. it was the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago that inspired many states to officially designate flowers. Some flowers, like roses, were chosen primarily for their symbolic value; others, like the sagebrush or orange blossom, are specifically associated with that state or region. Some states have also designated official wildflowers.

Pale pink rose

Photo courtesy of the American Rose Society

You probably haven’t thought about state flowers since grade school, but it’s actually a fun trivia topic with a few surprises, for example, several states picked the same flower. The rose was picked more than any other flower – with Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota claiming rose varieties.

Take our quiz to learn more or visit usna.usda.gov.

1. Which four states designed the violet as state flower?

2. New Mexico’s state flower is also known as “Lamparas de dios” (Lamps of the Lord) because of its bright white flowers. Name it.

3. Arkansas and Michigan both claim the apple blossom, which one was first?

4. Kentucky and Nebraska have the same flower. What flower is it?

5. The White Pinecone and Tassel is the only state flower that is not really a flower. Which East Coast state does it belong to?

6. Magnolia is the state flower for which two states? Flowering Dogwood also represents two states. Name them.

ANSWERS
1. Illinois, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

2. Yucca.

3. Michigan, in 1897. Arkansas made it official in 1901.

4. Goldenrod. Nebraska designated it in 1895; Kentucky in 1926.

5. Maine.

6. Magnolia represents Louisiana (1900) and Mississippi (1952). Flowering Dogwood is the official flower for Virginia (1918) and North Carolina (1941).

Flower Fact of the Day: The rose was enormously popular in Roman times. Used for cooking, flavoring and religious ceremonies, they were also the first real deodorant. Rose water was used in fountains and baths, helping to keep a dense population fresh-smelling.

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Comments

s.malik | Reply
May 27, 2008

rose water still finds its use in many households. in india its pretty prevalent due to its lot of medicinal and beauty-enhancing (i dont know if there is a word for that) properties.