Wildflowers Designed to Adapt by Owen Borville August 6, 2024 Biology, Biosciences
Wildflowers are part of our natural landscapes and have important anatomy, physiology, and ecological impact on the environment. Types of wildflowers found in North America:
Windflower (Anemone piperi): Native to North America, windflowers thrive in shaded forests. Their delicate white or pale pink petals dance gracefully in the breeze. Also known as Piper’s anemone, they’re found in five northwest states and British Columbia. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): These golden-yellow flowers with dark brown center cones grow well in fields and along roadsides. They’re found throughout the United States, except in Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada. Black-Eyed Susans are Maryland’s state flower.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Bright red tubular blossoms adorn this wildflower, which prefers moist habitats like streambanks and wetlands. It’s an essential nectar source for hummingbirds, aiding in pollination. Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa): With clusters of bright orange flowers, butterflyweed thrives in dry, open environments such as prairies and woodlands. Monarch caterpillars rely on it as a food source, and its nectar attracts various pollinators. Common Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris): Widespread across temperate climates in the US, common self-heal grows in grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges. Its purple flowers are valuable for biodiversity and pollinators.
Bluebonnet (Lupinus spp.): These iconic blue flowers are the state flower of Texas, and they bloom in spring, carpeting fields and roadsides with vibrant blue hues. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.): With their fiery red or orange bracts, Indian paintbrushes add a splash of color to grasslands and meadows. They often grow alongside bluebonnets.
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium): Found in northern regions, fireweed boasts tall spikes of pink-purple flowers. It’s one of the first plants to colonize after a forest fire. Trillium (Trillium spp.): These woodland wildflowers have three petals and three leaves. They come in various colors, including white, pink, and red. Trilliums thrive in shaded forests. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Delicate and elegant, columbines have spurred petals that resemble little bird beaks. They attract hummingbirds and are found in rocky areas. Wildflowers play essential roles in ecosystems, supporting pollinators and adding beauty to our surroundings.
Wildflower terminology: Native species are are naturally occurring plants in a specific area. They belong to the local flora and have adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions. Exotic or introduced species are plants not native to the area, and may have been intentionally introduced or accidentally arrived. Some exotic species can become invasive, out-competing native plants. So, wildflowers encompass a diverse range of plants, from local natives to introduced species.
Anatomy of Wildflowers: Pistils: These are the female reproductive structures. A pistil consists of three main parts:
(1) Stigma: The top part, often sticky or lobed, where pollen lands. (2) Style: The stem that supports the stigma. (3) Ovary: Located at the base of the style, it holds the eggs (ova) that develop into seeds when fertilized.
Stamens: These are the male reproductive structures. Each stamen has: Filament: A stem-like structure. Anther: Where pollen is produced. The number of stamens varies among species, ensuring genetic diversity through pollination.
Petals: These colorful structures surround the reproductive parts. Petals serve as landing pads for pollinators. Their size, shape, and color attract specific visitors: Bees prefer blue and purple petals. Butterflies favor wide-open yellow and orange flowers. Hummingbirds seek out red tubular flowers. Sweet or musky scents attract bees, moths, or flies.
Sepals: These are usually green and protect the flower bud before it opens. Sepals can be found just below the petals.
Pollination is a fascinating process that ensures the reproduction of flowering plants. Pollination involves transferring pollen grains from the male anther of one flower to the female stigma of another flower. The ultimate goal is to create seeds, which contain genetic information for new plant growth.
Flowers serve as the tools for seed production, and they must transfer pollen between flowers of the same species. A species consists of individuals capable of interbreeding freely with each other but not with members of other species.
Pollination can occur through various vectors, including wind, water, birds, insects, butterflies, bats, and other animals. These animals or insects that transfer pollen are called “pollinators.” Pollination often happens unintentionally during the pollinator’s activities, such as collecting pollen for nutrition or sipping nectar from flowers. When the pollinator visits another flower, pollen can attach to the stigma, leading to successful reproduction.
Types of Pollination: Self-pollination: Some plants can fertilize themselves, ensuring reproductive success without external assistance. Cross-pollination: Other plants rely on vectors (pollinators or wind) to transfer pollen to another flower of the same species.
Pollination is vital for wildflowers because it: Allows wildflowers to reproduce and produce enough seeds for dispersal and propagation. Maintains genetic diversity within their populations. Develops adequate fruits that entice seed dispersers. Pollination is a collaborative effort between plants and their pollinators, resulting in the diversity of wildflowers we see.
Bees play a crucial role in pollination, benefiting both plants and humans. Plant reproduction: Bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen. As they collect these resources, pollen sticks to their bodies. When they move to another flower, they transfer this pollen, enabling plants to produce seeds. This process ensures the survival and genetic diversity of many plant species.
World food security: Bees are the most common pollinators and about a third of the world’s food production depends on bees. Bees help crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts reproduce, ensuring abundant harvests. Bees provide biodiversity and livelihoods by providing high-quality food (honey, royal jelly, pollen) and other products (beeswax, propolis). Beekeeping supports rural livelihoods. Protecting bees is vital for maintaining biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems. However, bees face threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and air pollution. Efforts to safeguard them are crucial for our well-being and the planet’s health.
Other pollinators of flowers include insects like wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles, hummingbirds, and small mammals including bats, honey possums, and lemurs.
Life Cycle of Wildflowers: Like all plants, go through a series of stages from seed to mature plant. These stages include germination, growth, reproduction, and eventual death.
The life cycle of a wildflower can be categorized into different types based on its duration:
Annuals: These wildflowers complete their life cycle within one year. They sprout from seeds, bloom, produce seeds, and die—all in a single growing season.
Perennials: Perennial wildflowers live for multiple years. They may bloom in the first year or take a couple of years to establish foliage before flowering. Perennials continue to grow and reproduce year after year. Biennials: Biennial wildflowers have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, they grow foliage. In the second year, they bloom and produce seeds before completing their life cycle2.
Phenology is the study of biological events that respond to changing seasons. Wildflowers exhibit phenological events such as flowering, leafing, hibernation, migration, and reproduction. These events are triggered by environmental cues like temperature and precipitation, signaling the optimal time for each phase. Wildflowers contribute to the balance of ecosystems, showcasing both nature’s resilience and fragility.
Wildflowers have physical, behavioral, and reproductive design that allows them to thrive in diverse environments, showcasing resilience and diversity. Understanding wildflower design helps us appreciate their vital role in ecosystems, from attracting pollinators to indicating environmental health, inspiring us to protect their habitats, including:
Leaf and Stem Coverings: Thick, waxy coverings on leaves and stems reduce exposure and minimize evaporative water loss. Small leaves reduce water loss during transpiration and receive less solar radiation. Deep taproots allow wildflowers to reach further into the soil, accessing water reserves. Shallow, widespread roots absorb surface water quickly.
Flower Timing: Some wildflowers bloom during specific seasons, avoiding extreme conditions. Fall-blooming wildflowers add to the array of colors, even as temperatures drop.
Pollinator attraction: Wildflowers produce vibrant colors, scents, and nectar to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These interactions ensure successful reproduction and genetic diversity. Seed Dispersal Mechanisms: Wildflowers have various ways to disperse seeds: Wind-dispersed seeds: Lightweight seeds with structures like parachutes or wings. Animal-dispersed seeds: Encased in fleshy fruits or burrs, hitching rides on animals. Self-dispersal: Seeds that pop out when ripe (e.g., touch-me-nots) or explode (e.g., jewelweed).
Wildflower Ecology: Support for wildlife: Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats, such as meadows, provide valuable support for insects and other wildlife.
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, and more rely on wildflowers as a vital source of food. These pollinators play a crucial role in plant reproduction and contribute to one in every three bites of food we eat.
A natural wildflower meadow is an open space, free of trees and large shrubs, where wildflowers and native grasses grow intensively together.
Meadows often form after disturbances (such as fires or clearing) that remove existing trees and vegetation, allowing wildflowers to thrive2.
Ecosystem Benefits:
Wildflowers’ root systems extend deep into the soil, storing water, nutrients, and carbon. They act as underground reservoirs.
Even when not in bloom, wildflowers contribute year-round by holding onto carbon and supporting soil health.
Meadows provide habitat and biodiversity for birds, mammals, and insects, creating a diverse ecosystem.
Also see: Flowering Plants
growwild.kew.org
wildflowerfarm.com
nationalgeographic.com
phys.org
storables.com
nps.gov
fs.usda.gov
americanmeadows.com
nps.gov
storables.com
howtogroweverything.com
nps.gov
bing.com
cornellbotanicgardens.org
bing.com
unep.org
canr.msu.edu
pollenpaths.com
bees.techno-science.ca
fs.usda.gov
britannica.com
nps.gov
britannica.com
drawdrawing.com
en.wikipedia.org
identify.plantnet.org
flowerglossary.com
dpughphoto.com
wildlifeinformer.com
thespruce.com
en.wikipedia.org
britannica.com
natlands.org
U.S. State Flowers and Wildflowers
Alabama Camellia (state flower) Camellia japonica 1959 (clarified 1999)[1] Oak-leaf hydrangea (state wildflower) Hydrangea quercifolia 1999[2]
Alaska Forget-me-not Myosotis alpestris 1917[3]
American Samoa Paogo (Ulafala) Pandanus tectorius 1973[4]
Arizona Saguaro cactus blossom Carnegiea gigantea 1931[5]
Arkansas Apple blossom Malus 1901[6]
California poppy Eschscholzia californica 1903[7]
Colorado blue columbine Aquilegia coerulea 1899[8]
Connecticut Mountain laurel (state flower) Kalmia latifolia 1907[9] Michaela Petit's Four-O’Clocks (children's state flower) Mirabilis jalapa 2015[10]
Delaware Peach blossom Prunus persica 1953[11]
District of Columbia American Beauty Rose Rosa 1925[4]
Florida Orange blossom (state flower) Citrus sinensis Orange blossom 1909[12] Tickseed (state wildflower) Coreopsis spp. Coreopsis gladiata 1991[13]
Georgia Cherokee rose (state floral emblem) Rosa laevigata 1916[14] Azalea (state wildflower) Rhododendron 1979[15]
Guam Bougainvillea spectabilis Bougainvillea spectabilis 1968[4]
Hawaii Hawaiian hibiscus (maʻo hau hele) Hibiscus brackenridgei 1988[16][17]
Idaho Syringa, mock orange Philadelphus lewisii 1931[18]
Illinois Violet (state flower) Viola 1907[19] Milkweed (state wildflower) Asclepias spp. 2017[20]
Indiana Peony Paeonia 1957[21]
Iowa Wild rose Rosa arkansana 1897[22][23]
Kansas Sunflower Helianthus annuus 1903[24]
Kentucky Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 1926[25]
Louisiana Magnolia (state flower) Magnolia 1900[26] Louisiana iris (state wildflower) Iris giganticaerulea 1990[27]
Maine White pine cone and tassel Pinus strobus 1895[28]
Maryland Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta 1918[29]
Massachusetts Mayflower Epigaea repens 1918[30]
Michigan Apple blossom (state flower) Malus 1897[31] Dwarf lake iris (state wildflower) Iris lacustris 1998[32]
Minnesota Pink and white lady's slipper Cypripedium reginae 1902 (enacted 1967)[33][34]
Mississippi Magnolia (state flower) Magnolia 1900 (enacted 1952)[35] Tickseed (state wildflower) Coreopsis 1991[36]
Missouri Hawthorn Crataegus 1923[37]
Montana Bitterroot Lewisia rediviva 1894[38]
Nebraska Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 1895[39]
Nevada Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 1967[40]
New Hampshire Purple lilac (state flower) Syringa vulgaris 1919[41] Pink lady's slipper (state wildflower) Cypripedium acaule 1991[41]
New Jersey Violet Viola sororia 1971[42][43]
New Mexico Yucca flower Yucca 1927[44]
New York Rose Rosa 1955[45]
North Carolina Flowering dogwood (state flower) Cornus florida 1941[46] Carolina lily (state wildflower) Lilium michauxii 2003[47][48]
North Dakota Wild prairie rose Rosa blanda or arkansana 1907[49]
Northern Mariana Islands Flores mayo Plumeria 1979[4]
Ohio Scarlet carnation (state flower) Dianthus caryophyllus 1953[50] Large white trillium (state wild flower) Trillium grandiflorum 1987[51]
Oklahoma rose (state flower) Rosa 2004[52] Indian blanket (state wildflower) Gaillardia pulchella 1986[52]
Oregon grape Berberis aquifolium 1899[53]
Pennsylvania Mountain laurel (state flower) Kalmia latifolia 1933[54] Penngift crown vetch (beautification and conservation plant) Coronilla varia 1982[54]
Puerto Rico Flor de Maga Thespesia grandiflora 2019[55][56]
Rhode Island Violet Viola 1968[57][58]
South Carolina Yellow jessamine (state flower) Gelsemium sempervirens 1924[59] Goldenrod (state wildflower) Solidago altissima 2003[60]
South Dakota Pasque flower Pulsatilla hirsutissima 1903[61]
Tennessee Iris (state cultivated flower) Iris 1933[62] Purple passionflower (state wildflower 1) Passiflora incarnata 1919[62] Tennessee purple coneflower (state wildflower 2) Echinacea tennesseensis 2012[62]
Texas Bluebonnet sp. Lupinus sp. 1901 (broadened in 1971)[63]
Utah Sego lily Calochortus nuttallii 1911[64]
Vermont Red clover Trifolium pratense 1894[65]
Virgin Islands Yellow Elder Tecoma stans 1934[4]
Virginia American dogwood Cornus florida 1918[66][67]
Washington Coast rhododendron Rhododendron macrophyllum 1892 (officially 1959)[68]
West Virginia Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum 1903[69]
Wisconsin Wood violet Viola papilionacea Wood Violet 1909[70]
Wyoming Indian paintbrush Castilleja linariifo
en.wikipedia.org
Wildflowers are part of our natural landscapes and have important anatomy, physiology, and ecological impact on the environment. Types of wildflowers found in North America:
Windflower (Anemone piperi): Native to North America, windflowers thrive in shaded forests. Their delicate white or pale pink petals dance gracefully in the breeze. Also known as Piper’s anemone, they’re found in five northwest states and British Columbia. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): These golden-yellow flowers with dark brown center cones grow well in fields and along roadsides. They’re found throughout the United States, except in Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada. Black-Eyed Susans are Maryland’s state flower.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Bright red tubular blossoms adorn this wildflower, which prefers moist habitats like streambanks and wetlands. It’s an essential nectar source for hummingbirds, aiding in pollination. Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa): With clusters of bright orange flowers, butterflyweed thrives in dry, open environments such as prairies and woodlands. Monarch caterpillars rely on it as a food source, and its nectar attracts various pollinators. Common Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris): Widespread across temperate climates in the US, common self-heal grows in grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges. Its purple flowers are valuable for biodiversity and pollinators.
Bluebonnet (Lupinus spp.): These iconic blue flowers are the state flower of Texas, and they bloom in spring, carpeting fields and roadsides with vibrant blue hues. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.): With their fiery red or orange bracts, Indian paintbrushes add a splash of color to grasslands and meadows. They often grow alongside bluebonnets.
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium): Found in northern regions, fireweed boasts tall spikes of pink-purple flowers. It’s one of the first plants to colonize after a forest fire. Trillium (Trillium spp.): These woodland wildflowers have three petals and three leaves. They come in various colors, including white, pink, and red. Trilliums thrive in shaded forests. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Delicate and elegant, columbines have spurred petals that resemble little bird beaks. They attract hummingbirds and are found in rocky areas. Wildflowers play essential roles in ecosystems, supporting pollinators and adding beauty to our surroundings.
Wildflower terminology: Native species are are naturally occurring plants in a specific area. They belong to the local flora and have adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions. Exotic or introduced species are plants not native to the area, and may have been intentionally introduced or accidentally arrived. Some exotic species can become invasive, out-competing native plants. So, wildflowers encompass a diverse range of plants, from local natives to introduced species.
Anatomy of Wildflowers: Pistils: These are the female reproductive structures. A pistil consists of three main parts:
(1) Stigma: The top part, often sticky or lobed, where pollen lands. (2) Style: The stem that supports the stigma. (3) Ovary: Located at the base of the style, it holds the eggs (ova) that develop into seeds when fertilized.
Stamens: These are the male reproductive structures. Each stamen has: Filament: A stem-like structure. Anther: Where pollen is produced. The number of stamens varies among species, ensuring genetic diversity through pollination.
Petals: These colorful structures surround the reproductive parts. Petals serve as landing pads for pollinators. Their size, shape, and color attract specific visitors: Bees prefer blue and purple petals. Butterflies favor wide-open yellow and orange flowers. Hummingbirds seek out red tubular flowers. Sweet or musky scents attract bees, moths, or flies.
Sepals: These are usually green and protect the flower bud before it opens. Sepals can be found just below the petals.
Pollination is a fascinating process that ensures the reproduction of flowering plants. Pollination involves transferring pollen grains from the male anther of one flower to the female stigma of another flower. The ultimate goal is to create seeds, which contain genetic information for new plant growth.
Flowers serve as the tools for seed production, and they must transfer pollen between flowers of the same species. A species consists of individuals capable of interbreeding freely with each other but not with members of other species.
Pollination can occur through various vectors, including wind, water, birds, insects, butterflies, bats, and other animals. These animals or insects that transfer pollen are called “pollinators.” Pollination often happens unintentionally during the pollinator’s activities, such as collecting pollen for nutrition or sipping nectar from flowers. When the pollinator visits another flower, pollen can attach to the stigma, leading to successful reproduction.
Types of Pollination: Self-pollination: Some plants can fertilize themselves, ensuring reproductive success without external assistance. Cross-pollination: Other plants rely on vectors (pollinators or wind) to transfer pollen to another flower of the same species.
Pollination is vital for wildflowers because it: Allows wildflowers to reproduce and produce enough seeds for dispersal and propagation. Maintains genetic diversity within their populations. Develops adequate fruits that entice seed dispersers. Pollination is a collaborative effort between plants and their pollinators, resulting in the diversity of wildflowers we see.
Bees play a crucial role in pollination, benefiting both plants and humans. Plant reproduction: Bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen. As they collect these resources, pollen sticks to their bodies. When they move to another flower, they transfer this pollen, enabling plants to produce seeds. This process ensures the survival and genetic diversity of many plant species.
World food security: Bees are the most common pollinators and about a third of the world’s food production depends on bees. Bees help crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts reproduce, ensuring abundant harvests. Bees provide biodiversity and livelihoods by providing high-quality food (honey, royal jelly, pollen) and other products (beeswax, propolis). Beekeeping supports rural livelihoods. Protecting bees is vital for maintaining biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems. However, bees face threats from habitat loss, pesticides, and air pollution. Efforts to safeguard them are crucial for our well-being and the planet’s health.
Other pollinators of flowers include insects like wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles, hummingbirds, and small mammals including bats, honey possums, and lemurs.
Life Cycle of Wildflowers: Like all plants, go through a series of stages from seed to mature plant. These stages include germination, growth, reproduction, and eventual death.
The life cycle of a wildflower can be categorized into different types based on its duration:
Annuals: These wildflowers complete their life cycle within one year. They sprout from seeds, bloom, produce seeds, and die—all in a single growing season.
Perennials: Perennial wildflowers live for multiple years. They may bloom in the first year or take a couple of years to establish foliage before flowering. Perennials continue to grow and reproduce year after year. Biennials: Biennial wildflowers have a two-year life cycle. In the first year, they grow foliage. In the second year, they bloom and produce seeds before completing their life cycle2.
Phenology is the study of biological events that respond to changing seasons. Wildflowers exhibit phenological events such as flowering, leafing, hibernation, migration, and reproduction. These events are triggered by environmental cues like temperature and precipitation, signaling the optimal time for each phase. Wildflowers contribute to the balance of ecosystems, showcasing both nature’s resilience and fragility.
Wildflowers have physical, behavioral, and reproductive design that allows them to thrive in diverse environments, showcasing resilience and diversity. Understanding wildflower design helps us appreciate their vital role in ecosystems, from attracting pollinators to indicating environmental health, inspiring us to protect their habitats, including:
Leaf and Stem Coverings: Thick, waxy coverings on leaves and stems reduce exposure and minimize evaporative water loss. Small leaves reduce water loss during transpiration and receive less solar radiation. Deep taproots allow wildflowers to reach further into the soil, accessing water reserves. Shallow, widespread roots absorb surface water quickly.
Flower Timing: Some wildflowers bloom during specific seasons, avoiding extreme conditions. Fall-blooming wildflowers add to the array of colors, even as temperatures drop.
Pollinator attraction: Wildflowers produce vibrant colors, scents, and nectar to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These interactions ensure successful reproduction and genetic diversity. Seed Dispersal Mechanisms: Wildflowers have various ways to disperse seeds: Wind-dispersed seeds: Lightweight seeds with structures like parachutes or wings. Animal-dispersed seeds: Encased in fleshy fruits or burrs, hitching rides on animals. Self-dispersal: Seeds that pop out when ripe (e.g., touch-me-nots) or explode (e.g., jewelweed).
Wildflower Ecology: Support for wildlife: Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats, such as meadows, provide valuable support for insects and other wildlife.
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, and more rely on wildflowers as a vital source of food. These pollinators play a crucial role in plant reproduction and contribute to one in every three bites of food we eat.
A natural wildflower meadow is an open space, free of trees and large shrubs, where wildflowers and native grasses grow intensively together.
Meadows often form after disturbances (such as fires or clearing) that remove existing trees and vegetation, allowing wildflowers to thrive2.
Ecosystem Benefits:
Wildflowers’ root systems extend deep into the soil, storing water, nutrients, and carbon. They act as underground reservoirs.
Even when not in bloom, wildflowers contribute year-round by holding onto carbon and supporting soil health.
Meadows provide habitat and biodiversity for birds, mammals, and insects, creating a diverse ecosystem.
Also see: Flowering Plants
growwild.kew.org
wildflowerfarm.com
nationalgeographic.com
phys.org
storables.com
nps.gov
fs.usda.gov
americanmeadows.com
nps.gov
storables.com
howtogroweverything.com
nps.gov
bing.com
cornellbotanicgardens.org
bing.com
unep.org
canr.msu.edu
pollenpaths.com
bees.techno-science.ca
fs.usda.gov
britannica.com
nps.gov
britannica.com
drawdrawing.com
en.wikipedia.org
identify.plantnet.org
flowerglossary.com
dpughphoto.com
wildlifeinformer.com
thespruce.com
en.wikipedia.org
britannica.com
natlands.org
U.S. State Flowers and Wildflowers
Alabama Camellia (state flower) Camellia japonica 1959 (clarified 1999)[1] Oak-leaf hydrangea (state wildflower) Hydrangea quercifolia 1999[2]
Alaska Forget-me-not Myosotis alpestris 1917[3]
American Samoa Paogo (Ulafala) Pandanus tectorius 1973[4]
Arizona Saguaro cactus blossom Carnegiea gigantea 1931[5]
Arkansas Apple blossom Malus 1901[6]
California poppy Eschscholzia californica 1903[7]
Colorado blue columbine Aquilegia coerulea 1899[8]
Connecticut Mountain laurel (state flower) Kalmia latifolia 1907[9] Michaela Petit's Four-O’Clocks (children's state flower) Mirabilis jalapa 2015[10]
Delaware Peach blossom Prunus persica 1953[11]
District of Columbia American Beauty Rose Rosa 1925[4]
Florida Orange blossom (state flower) Citrus sinensis Orange blossom 1909[12] Tickseed (state wildflower) Coreopsis spp. Coreopsis gladiata 1991[13]
Georgia Cherokee rose (state floral emblem) Rosa laevigata 1916[14] Azalea (state wildflower) Rhododendron 1979[15]
Guam Bougainvillea spectabilis Bougainvillea spectabilis 1968[4]
Hawaii Hawaiian hibiscus (maʻo hau hele) Hibiscus brackenridgei 1988[16][17]
Idaho Syringa, mock orange Philadelphus lewisii 1931[18]
Illinois Violet (state flower) Viola 1907[19] Milkweed (state wildflower) Asclepias spp. 2017[20]
Indiana Peony Paeonia 1957[21]
Iowa Wild rose Rosa arkansana 1897[22][23]
Kansas Sunflower Helianthus annuus 1903[24]
Kentucky Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 1926[25]
Louisiana Magnolia (state flower) Magnolia 1900[26] Louisiana iris (state wildflower) Iris giganticaerulea 1990[27]
Maine White pine cone and tassel Pinus strobus 1895[28]
Maryland Black-eyed susan Rudbeckia hirta 1918[29]
Massachusetts Mayflower Epigaea repens 1918[30]
Michigan Apple blossom (state flower) Malus 1897[31] Dwarf lake iris (state wildflower) Iris lacustris 1998[32]
Minnesota Pink and white lady's slipper Cypripedium reginae 1902 (enacted 1967)[33][34]
Mississippi Magnolia (state flower) Magnolia 1900 (enacted 1952)[35] Tickseed (state wildflower) Coreopsis 1991[36]
Missouri Hawthorn Crataegus 1923[37]
Montana Bitterroot Lewisia rediviva 1894[38]
Nebraska Goldenrod Solidago gigantea 1895[39]
Nevada Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 1967[40]
New Hampshire Purple lilac (state flower) Syringa vulgaris 1919[41] Pink lady's slipper (state wildflower) Cypripedium acaule 1991[41]
New Jersey Violet Viola sororia 1971[42][43]
New Mexico Yucca flower Yucca 1927[44]
New York Rose Rosa 1955[45]
North Carolina Flowering dogwood (state flower) Cornus florida 1941[46] Carolina lily (state wildflower) Lilium michauxii 2003[47][48]
North Dakota Wild prairie rose Rosa blanda or arkansana 1907[49]
Northern Mariana Islands Flores mayo Plumeria 1979[4]
Ohio Scarlet carnation (state flower) Dianthus caryophyllus 1953[50] Large white trillium (state wild flower) Trillium grandiflorum 1987[51]
Oklahoma rose (state flower) Rosa 2004[52] Indian blanket (state wildflower) Gaillardia pulchella 1986[52]
Oregon grape Berberis aquifolium 1899[53]
Pennsylvania Mountain laurel (state flower) Kalmia latifolia 1933[54] Penngift crown vetch (beautification and conservation plant) Coronilla varia 1982[54]
Puerto Rico Flor de Maga Thespesia grandiflora 2019[55][56]
Rhode Island Violet Viola 1968[57][58]
South Carolina Yellow jessamine (state flower) Gelsemium sempervirens 1924[59] Goldenrod (state wildflower) Solidago altissima 2003[60]
South Dakota Pasque flower Pulsatilla hirsutissima 1903[61]
Tennessee Iris (state cultivated flower) Iris 1933[62] Purple passionflower (state wildflower 1) Passiflora incarnata 1919[62] Tennessee purple coneflower (state wildflower 2) Echinacea tennesseensis 2012[62]
Texas Bluebonnet sp. Lupinus sp. 1901 (broadened in 1971)[63]
Utah Sego lily Calochortus nuttallii 1911[64]
Vermont Red clover Trifolium pratense 1894[65]
Virgin Islands Yellow Elder Tecoma stans 1934[4]
Virginia American dogwood Cornus florida 1918[66][67]
Washington Coast rhododendron Rhododendron macrophyllum 1892 (officially 1959)[68]
West Virginia Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum 1903[69]
Wisconsin Wood violet Viola papilionacea Wood Violet 1909[70]
Wyoming Indian paintbrush Castilleja linariifo
en.wikipedia.org