State Flower: The golden poppy.
California Indians cherished the poppy as both a source of food and for oil extracted from the plant. Also sometimes known as the Flame flower, la amapola, and copa de oro (cup of gold), the Poppy grows wild throughout California. It became the state flower in 1903. Every year April 6 is California Poppy Day, and Governor Wilson proclaimed May 13-18, is Poppy Week. |
State Tree: The California Redwood
The California Redwood was designated the official State Tree of California by the state Legislator in 1937. Once common throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Redwoods are found only on the Pacific Coast. Many groves and stands of the towering trees are preserved in state and national parks and forests. There are actually two genera of California redwood : the coast redwood and the giant sequoia. The coast redwoods are the tallest trees in the world; one reaching over 379 feet tall! |