Florida’s State Flowers
Florida’s name was inspired by flowers. In keeping with its name, Florida’s state seal depicts an Indian woman strewing flowers on the ground. The woman represents Florida’s native tribes. Like the Spanish explorers who discovered Florida, the state flower is not native, however.
The orange blossom was adopted as Florida’s state flower on May 5, 1909. There was reportedly little debate or fanfare. It was apparently considered the logical choice.
Florida’s orange blossom is one of several state flowers that are not native to North America. Oranges are probably native to China. The camellia and the gardenia have been suggested as possible state flowers. But the camellia is also native to Asia, and who can argue with Florida’s multi-billion-dollar citrus industry?
A Diverse Blossom
The waxy, white blossoms of the orange tree are very fragrant. It has been said that it is the only state flower from which a commercial perfume has been made. Tons of Florida orange blossoms were once shipped to weddings across the country.
In 1967, Florida adopted a state beverage: “The juice obtained from mature oranges of the species Citrus sinesis and hybrids thereof . . .” In other words, orange juice!
Concentrated orange juice was developed during World War II. After the war, a frozen concentrate was developed, and orange juice production exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry.
Some of Florida’s biggest events celebrate its citrus industry. These include the Orange Blossom Festival and the Orange Bowl.
Another citrus fruit, lime, is an important symbol in the Conch Republic, as Key West, Florida is sometimes known.
Florida also has an official wildflower.
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