The wood violet, a wildflower that grows in moist woodlands of Wisconsin, has been the official state flower since 1949. It was chosen because it is a native species and blooms in all regions of the state. The flower has four or five oblong dark blue or purple petals and is often used to make jelly or candied.
Wisconsin is a state located in the northern United States. It has many symbols, including a state bird, a tree, an animal and a flower. The wood violet, also known as Viola papilonarea, has been the official state flower of Wisconsin since 1949. This plant features purple flowers atop a thick stem. It is a wildflower that grows mainly in the moist woodlands of Yew State.
In 1908, the United States recognized the need for each state to identify its flower. On Arbor Day 1909, schoolchildren voted to make purple wood the state flower of Wisconsin. For the next 30 years, this plant was an unofficial state symbol, and the legislature made it an official state flower in 1949.
The wood violet was chosen as the state flower of Wisconsin primarily because it is a native species. It is a wildflower that thrives in very moist areas, especially heavily forested ones. This plant is a perennial that goes dormant in the fall, surviving the region’s harsh winters to reappear in mid-spring.
Most specimens have four or five oblong dark blue or purple petals. Some varieties can be very pale and almost white. Wood violets with light colored flowers may have blue or purple streaks on them.
The petals of the Wisconsin state flower sit atop a dark green stem that is very thick but not woody. There are normally heart-shaped pairs of leaves that sit close to the ground. These leaves are also dark green and each leaf is very large in proportion to the flower. The flowers tend to grow in clusters, making them sometimes look like a ground cover.
In the early 1900s, the wood violet was often picked and eaten by settlers. Many people preferred to use this flower to make salads, while others cooked the leaves and stems of the plant just like wild greens. In modern times, the Wisconsin state flower is still eaten, but is typically used to make jelly or is sometimes candied.
As the state flower of Wisconsin, the wood violet is a state symbol that is in harmony with the state’s natural beauty and rich history. It blooms in all regions of Wisconsin, allowing people in all parts of the state to enjoy its brilliant flowers. People who come across this state flower should take care not to disturb it to ensure that future generations can enjoy this magnificent species.
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