State Flower of Louisiana

Author: Jason Coles

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The magnolia blossom (Magnolia grandiflora) is the official Louisiana state flower and has been since its adoption all the way back in 1900. The southern magnolia hardwood tree is medium in size and exclusively grows in the southeastern United States.

Magnolia trees produce large, fragrant white flowers and evergreen leaves, which are known as magnolia blossoms. The seeds are consumed by squirrels, opossums, quals, and turkeys, and the leaves fruit, bark, and wood hold many beneficial qualities used by pharmaceuticals across the nation. The lumber is also used for furniture and wooden pallets.

Louisiana state flower

Louisiana first began adopting its own official state symbols in 1990, the second symbol to be adopted after the state flower was the Great State Seal. A couple of years after this, many other symbols were adopted, each having a role to play in the history of Louisiana and all intertwining together nicely.

Louisiana State Flower

When it comes to magnolia trees there are many different types, including evergreen and deciduous, both of these have varying leaf and plant formations. Typical blossoms of the tree are white, red, or pink and have specifically evolved to encourage pollination from beetles rather than bees.

The magnolia blossom carpels are typically very solid due to this. Flowers that blossom are typically star-shaped and the seeds can take up to 10 years before they bloom. Magnolias are not just symbolic to Louisiana, they are also the state flower of Mississippi and a symbol for the entire south of the United States.

Magnolias were also adopted as one of the Confederate Army symbols during the American Civil War. “Steel Magnolia” is a term that was used to describe a Southern woman who survived tragedy with both dignity and pride still intact or an older woman who mentors young girls.

The bark from magnolia trees has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for a number of years, it is thought to improve both anxiety and sleep. Additionally, there is a solution derived from the flower that helps with the treatment of asthma and lung congestion, and also with digestive problems and nausea!

Interesting Facts About Magnolia

Magnolias are truly awesome flowers, and their immense popularity has caused there to be many interesting facts about them that most people probably didn’t know about.

State flower of Louisiana

Here are some interesting facts about Magnolias:

  • Magnolias can range in size, from 15-foot shrubs to 80 feet tall trees!
  • The flowers open up during early spring before the leaves appear.
  • There are eight magnolia species in total, Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Saucer magnolia (Magnolia ×soulangiana), Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), Loebner magnolia (Magnolia ×loebneri), Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), and Cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminate).
  • You should plant magnolias in the early spring if you live in the south.
  • Magnolia fossils date back over 100 million years.
  • Magnolia trees existed before bees.

Final Thoughts

Most states will have their symbols showcase a relevant story, that is indicative of the state and its history, and the Pelican State puts its history and what it stands for across very well in the Louisiana state animal.

These interesting facts about Louisiana and a whole host of others are what makes the state so unique and fascinating to those that live there or are researching the historical events or geological makeup of the state.

US State Symbols

Louisiana

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Jason Coles

Jason Coles is the Founder of Foreign USA and its Chief Content Writer and Editor. Recognized as a prolific business plan writer by many prominent immigration attorneys in the U.S. who refer his services to their clients regularly, Jason has written over 1,340 business plans across the past 17+ years for start-up companies and franchises looking to expand their footprint in the United States. Jason is considered a seasoned expert in his field. He creates detailed business plans for his clients that include five-year financial projections, market and industry analysis reports, demographic studies, organizational charts, job descriptions, employee hiring plans, and more.