On this Independence Day, 2009, as we celebrate our nation and our freedom, it seems only appropriate to acknowledge some native American blooms. Originally from Virginia and now a New Jersey resident, I want to take a look at the official flowers of these two states.
The American dogwood, cornus florida, is native to eastern North America. They can be found in the region spanning from southern Maine to northern Florida, and west to the eastern portions of Texas up to southern Ontario. The actual flowers are the very small clusters of greenish-yellow petals in the centers, surrounded by the larger more visible "bracts" which are typically white. Some American dogwoods have pink bracts, and a few have red ones. The dogwood was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, who grew them on his Virginia estate, Monticello, in the 1770's. But it wasn't until 1918 that Virginia lawmakers named the dogwood as the official state flower.
The common meadow violet, viola cucullata, is also referred to as the purple violet or blue violet. It is native to eastern North America from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Georgia. The violet's five-petaled flowers are typically "violet" in color, a blue-purple tone, though sometimes they are white. An interesting and unique fact about the meadow violet is that after flowering, the plant then produces a second set of blooms. This second set consists of small, closed flowers that look like buds. The violet's seeds are produced from these buds. Prompted by garden clubs across the "garden state", the New Jersey State Legislature voted in 1971 to name the violet as the official state flower. Wisconsin, Illinois, and Rhode Island also recognize the violet as the official state flower.
Have a terrific holiday weekend, everyone. Be thankful that we live a great nation that prizes freedom. And, wherever you may be celebrating, to quote an old phrase - be sure to "stop and smell the flowers".
