Tennessee’s State Flowers

Tennessee’s first state flower was selected by school children. The January 26, 1919 issue of the Nashville Banner listed some of their favorites: the daisy, red clover, rose, water lily, elder bloom, goldenrod, wild rose, sunflower, and violet. The eventual winner, the passion flower, wasn’t even mentioned!

Native Americans reportedly prized the passion flower for its beauty. Early Christian missionaries to South America saw it as a religious symbol. They thought its various parts symbolized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Pioneers valued its fruit. They called it “maypop,” after the Indian word maracock, or “rattle fruit.”

Tennessee school children eventually voted it their favorite. It was adopted as Tennessee’s state flower in 1919. But Tennesseean’s loyalty shifted.

Enter the Iris

Nashville, Tennessee became known as the “Iris City.” In 1931, the Nashville Iris Association was formed. Iris fans joined forces and campaigned for the adoption of the iris as the Tennessee state flower. It was adopted in 1933.

Irises come in different colors. But the purple iris is commonly accepted as the state flower.

A Wilder Passion

However, the passion flower wasn’t forgotten. It was declared the state wildflower in 1973. The iris is Tennessee’s official cultivated flower.

Tennessee’s official poem, “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee,” mentions “Wild Flowers Galore.” But Tennessee’s state song is When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee, written by Willa Mai Waid and adopted in 1935. At that time, it was used extensively in school pageants during Iris Festival Week.

Tennessee also has an official wildflower.

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