About This Quiz
State flowers are chosen for many different reasons. Some are tied to the histories of the people who lived and thrived in that state, while others are chosen due to their abundance in the area. One example of how important a state flower is to its history is in Utah, where the Sego Lily was chosen as the official flower. The bulb of the Sego Lilly was roasted, boiled and made into a porridge by Native Americans before the Mormon pioneers. People were able to survive by using this bulb as one of their food sources.
Then there are those states like Maryland, which has color-coordinated its state flower to the state bird, state insect and even the state cat. And in Louisiana, this same idea replicates the fleur-de-lis: a stylized Iris, which can be seen on merchandise, home decorating, parades and more. In this quiz, you'll find that each flower has a story to tell and delivers a beautiful visual of the state's landscape. Try it on for size. See how many flowers you can accurately match to the state. Either you'll blossom or wilt under the pressure. Start now!
Cacti dot the landscape of the Arizona deserts. So it's no wonder that the Saguaro Cactus Blossom is the state flower of choice.
Advertisement
Look closely at the Rocky Mountain Columbine and you'll see why this flower represents the state. The blue and purple hues are symbols of the sky, the white color represents snow, and yellow symbolizes Colorado's gold mining history.
Advertisement
The California Poppy is aptly named for the state it represents. This Poppy grows wild throughout California, and became the state flower in 1903.
Advertisement
Sweet home Alabama has the sweet-smelling Camellia as its state flower. The Yellowhammer also became the state bird of Alabama.
Advertisement
Once you go to Alaska, the purity of the wilderness is something you won't forget. Maybe that's why the state's flower is an Alpine Forget-Me-Not?
Advertisement
The blossoms that give us sweet, juicy apples are the favorite state flower of Arkansas. When Arkansas was a major apple producing state, this flower was the obvious choice.
Advertisement
It was a popular vote. Over 3000 women urged Connecticut's state legislature to adopt the beautiful Mountain Laurel as the state flower. It worked, and became official in 1907.
Advertisement
It's peachy in Delaware, where the Peach Blossom grows. In 1895, Delaware orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees.
Advertisement
The blossom of the orange tree is one of the most fragrant flowers in Florida. There are literally millions of white flowers that perfume the air in central and southern Florida.
Advertisement
The name "Cherokee Rose" is derived from the Cherokee native American tribe who widely distributed the plant. Georgia is also known for the Brown Thrasher state bird.
Advertisement
There are so many beautiful flowers in Hawaii, which made choosing a state flower quite the difficult task. The Yellow Hibiscus wasn't chosen as a state flower until 1988.
Advertisement
Idaho's state flower is the Syringa. But the state is also known for the variety of gems it contains in its soil. In fact, the only other location that has a greater variety of gems is Africa.
Advertisement
The Violet is the state flower of Illinois and the state animal is a white-tailed deer. Its proper name is the "Common Blue Violet."
Advertisement
Indiana claims this flower for the state. Interestingly, the Peony is among the longest-used flowers in ornamental culture.
Advertisement
The Wild Rose flourishes in Iowa and became the state flower in 1897. Its also known as the "Rosa Arkansana."
Advertisement
Kansas is the state that claims the Wild Native Sunflower as its own. The Native Americans were also using sunflowers for food over 3,000 years ago.
Advertisement
About thirty varieties of Goldenrod are found in Kentucky and you'll see they are flourishing throughout the state. These flowers are also known as "Solidago."
Advertisement
The official symbol of Louisiana is the fleur-de-lis: a stylized Iris used in decoration and as a heraldic symbol. Thus, it makes sense that the Louisiana Iris is the state flower.
Advertisement
Maine designated the White Pine Cone and Tassel as the natural beauty that best represents the state. Its scientific name is also the "Pinus strobus, linnaeus."
Advertisement
Not to be outdone by any other state, Maryland has color-coordinated its state flower with the state bird, state insect and even the state cat. This flower also belongs to the sunflower family.
Advertisement
What other flower would Massachusetts adopt then the Mayflower? As the official flower of the Commonwealth, it's a blooming good idea!
Advertisement
Lady slippers (also called moccasin flowers) can live up to 50 years but develops slowly. It actually takes up to 16 years for the first flower to bloom!
Advertisement
Not to be outdone by Maryland, Mississippi is all over the Magnolia. Bearing the nickname, "The Magnolia State," Mississippi also features the magnolia as the state tree, as well as the magnolia on the U.S. Mint's bicentennial commemorative quarter (for Mississippi).
Advertisement
In 1805, Lewis and Clark "discovered" Bitterroot in the western Montana valley that now bears its name. By 1895, it was designated as the official state flower.
Advertisement
Known as "Artemisia tridentata," the sagebrush is the state flower of Nevada. This flower also likes to grow in cold deserts and in mountain environments.
Advertisement
I bet you didn't know that the Common Blue Violet is the state flower for both Illinois and New Jersey! This flower is also known for its beautiful purple and blue hues.
Advertisement
Actually, the Yucca flower has been the state flower for New Mexico since 1927, so it has been popular for many decades! This flower also likes to grow in dry weather.
Advertisement
New York claimed the rose as the state flower in 1955. There are also over 300 species and a wide variety of colors.
Advertisement
The Blossom of the Dogwood Tree is the official state flower of North Carolina, which was established in 1941. The Dogwood is also one of the most common trees in North Carolina.
Advertisement
North Dakota designated the Wild Prairie Rose as the official state flower in 1907. The rose has five bright pink petals with a cluster of yellow stamens in the center.
Advertisement
Ohio designated the Red Carnation as the state flower in 1904. It is an ideal choice as it has a formal, official-looking appearance when worn with a tuxedo.
Advertisement
The Oregon Grape plant has been the official state flower of Oregon since 1899. It blossoms with dainty yellow flowers in early summer and dark blue berries that ripens late in the fall.
Advertisement
The Mountain Laurel is a gorgeous Native American shrub with fragrant star-shaped white and pink flowers. It was designated as Pennsylvania's official state flower in 1933.
Advertisement
South Dakota designated the American Pasque as the official state flower in 1903. It is a beautiful scenic state where the Pasque grows wild throughout the land.
Advertisement
The blue hue and sunbonnet-shaped petals of the Bluebonnet makes this flower quite unique compared to others. These flowers have been the Texas state flower since 1901.
Advertisement
Utah designated the Sego Lily as the official state flower in 1911. The bulb of the Sego Lily was roasted, boiled and made into a porridge by Native Americans.
Advertisement
Vermont designated the Red Clover as the state flower in 1894. Vermont was also one of the first to claim an official perennial.
Advertisement
The women of Washington decided that the Coast Rhododendron would represent the state for the World's Fair in Chicago in 1892 (although the official designation didn't happen until 1959). This flower is also known as the "California Rhododendron."
Advertisement
What makes this selection for a flower so sweet is that it was chosen by Wisconsin's school children in 1908 to represent the state's scenic beauty. The violet is also the state flower of Rhode Island, New Jersey and Illinois.
Advertisement
What an interesting flower to finish this quiz! The Indian paintbrush was designated as the state flower of Wyoming in 1917. It's also known as the "Castilleja."
Advertisement