Discover It

Wildflowers

Stop and smell the flowers

Flowering plants put on beautiful colorful displays of blooms of all shapes and sizes. Some bloom for an entire season while others bloom for only a few days or weeks. Some simply dry out and the petals fall off while others turn into fruit or vegetables. Birds and insects drink nectar from the center of a flower.

Check out the wildflowers on the right to see some that are found across most of North America and maybe even in your own backyard!

Here is a neat exercise; see if you can figure out your state or province has an official flower!

USA Flowers by State
Alabama--Camellia
Alaska--Forget-me-not
Arizona--Giant Cactus
Arkansas--Apple Blossom
California--Golden Poppy
Colorado--Columbine
Connecticut--Mountain Laurel
Delaware--Peach Blossom
Florida--Orange Blossom
Georgia--Cherokee Rose
Hawaii--Hibiscus
Idaho--Mock Orange
Illinois--Blue Violet
Indiana--Peony
Iowa--Wild Rose
Kansas--Sunflower
Kentucky--Goldenrod
Louisiana--Magnolia
Maine--Pine cone and tassel
Maryland--Black-eyed Susan
Massachusetts--Trailing Arbutus, Mayflower
Michigan--Apple Blossom
Minnesota--Lady Slipper
Mississippi--Magnolia
Missouri--Hawthorn
Montana--Bitterroot
Nebraska--Goldenrod
Nevada--Sagebrush
New Hampshire--Purple Lilac
New Jersey--Purple Violet
New Mexico--Yucca
New York--Rose
North Carolina--Dogwood
North Dakota--Prairie Rose
Ohio--Scarlet Carnation
Oklahoma--Mistletoe
Oregon--Oregon Grape
Pennsylvania--Mountain Laurel
Rhode Island--Violet
South Carolina--Caroline Jessamine
South Dakota--American Pasqueflower
Tennessee--Iris
Texas--Bluebonnet
Utah--Sego Lily
Vermont--Red Clover
Virginia--American Dogwood
Washington--Rhododendron
West Virginia-- Rhododendron
Wisconsin--Wood Violet
Wyoming--Indian Paintbrush

Canadian national flowers
Alberta--Wild Rose
British Columbia--Dogwood
Manitoba--Prairie Crocus
New Brunswick--Purple Violet
Newfoundland--Pitcher Plant
Northwest Territories--Mountain Avens
Nova Scotia--Mayflower
Nunavut--Arctic Poppy
Ontario--White Trillium
Prince Edward Island--Lady's Slipper
Quebec--Blue Flag Iris
Saskatchewan--Prairie Lily
Yukon—Fireweed

Also Did you know:

The first recorded plant collectors were the soldiers in the army of

Thothmes III, Pharaoh of Egypt, 3500 years ago. In the Temple of Karnak

these soldiers are shown bringing back 300 plants as booty from Syria.

For more cool fact check out Ask Ian!

ACTIVITY CODE: 104-1