What are Florida’s State Symbols?

State symbols have been a mainstay of U.S. culture since the very beginning. Official symbols are used to represent the cultural heritage and natural history of each state in the most fun way possible.

Fortunately, Florida shares absolutely no differences when compared with other U.S. states, with an abundance of symbols that are indicative of the state’s historical roots and geological history.

There are also recognizable icons and emblems for each state, such as state seals and flags, nicknames and mottos, and much more which we have included in Florida’s state symbols list.

State of Florida Symbols List

There is an incredible amount of state of Florida state symbols creating a plethora of interesting facts, both from the past and present. Below we have listed X Florida state symbols that all pay homage to the state and its historical routes, both past, and present. We have also provided a link for each symbol to a larger, more detailed page on the specific symbol.

Florida State Animal

In 1982 students in Florida voted for the majestic Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) as the official state animal of Florida. These cats are large in size, with an almost tan color. Their bodies are covered in beige/gray fur and they are a subspecies of the famous U.S. Mountain Lion.

Florida State Marine Mammal

Manatees are some of the most unusual marine mammals in the world, and they are incredibly popular in Florida. The famous manatee (Trichechus manatus) became the official Florida state marine mammal in 1975.

Florida’s State Fruit

The orange has been Florida’s official state fruit since 2005 thanks to the efforts of a school teacher, Janet Shapiro, and her students at Southside Elementary School.

Florida State Bird

Florida’s state bird was designated as the mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) in 1927. These birds are incredibly unique due to their singing and tweeting, playing almost 200 different songs, and mimicking a variety of different sounds.

Florida State Flower

The orange blossom (Citrus sinensis) was originally adopted as the official state flower for Florida back in 1909, making it one of the oldest state symbols since Florida’s inception in 1845.

Florida State Seal

The Florida State Seal was officially adopted by the 1865 legislature, which set out clear instructions to have the seal be the same size as the American silver dollar and to portray a scene “in the middle of the sun’s rays over a high land in the distance, a cocoa tree, a steamboat on water, and Indian female scattering flowers in the foreground.”

Florida State Butterfly

The Florida state butterfly is an incredibly beautiful and unique zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charitonius). This butterfly has been used to represent the state since 1996 and can be found in abundance throughout the state, specifically residing in hardwood hammocks, thickets, gardens, and the Everglades National Park.

Florida State Tree

In 1953, Florida adopted the sabal palmetto palm (Sabal palmetto) as the tree to officially represent the state.

Florida State Wildflower

The genus Coreopsis wildflower became the official Florida state wildflower in 1991 after the beautiful flowers were used for Florida roadside paintings and also highway beautification programs!

Florida State Freshwater Fish

The Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridamus) became the official freshwater fish symbol of Florida in 1975, but this is not the only fish symbol for Florida!

Florida State Saltwater Fish

The quick and sharp Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) became the official Florida state saltwater fish in 1975.

Florida State Gem

The Florida state gem is the moonstone and has been representing the state since 1970 to pay homage to the American astronauts that landed on the moon the year previous, in 1969.

Florida State Heritage Horse

The Florida cracker horse has been the official state heritage horse for Florida since 2008.

Florida State Reptile

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is the official state saltwater reptile of Florida and has been since it was adopted as such in 2008, but this isn’t the only turtle to feature as a Florida state symbol.

Florida State Soil

Myakka fine sand was adopted as the Florida state soil in 1989, and is totally native to Florida, not available in any other state!

Florida State Saltwater Mammal

Florida adopted another marine symbol in 1975 – the famous dolphin (Tursiops truncates) is the official saltwater mammal of Florida.

Florida State Honey

Tupelo honey became the official Florida state honey on March 16, 2016, making it the latest symbol to be adopted by the sunshine state.

Florida State Pie

Another somewhat strange symbol adopted by Florida is the official state pie, which is the delicious key lime pie. The pie, which resembles more of a tart became the official Florida state pie in 2006, making it one of the more recent adoptions.

Florida State Stone

The Florida state stone is actually a coral, paying homage to the state’s aquatic and tropical roots – the agatized coral became the official state stone in 1976.

Florida State Symbols Table

Now that we have taken a look at the popular and notable state symbols that are associated with the great state of Florida, it makes sense to showcase all the Florida state symbols that are best used to represent the state’s history and present achievements. Here is the complete list of symbols: