Ashley M. Stevanovich

Throughout history, flowers have served as symbols and emblems. Many nations have adopted flowers as their emblems such as the Shamrock of Ireland, the Lily of France, and the Rose of the United States. National flowers are often associated with history, tradition, or legend. Ashley Stevanovich is a flower enthusiast who enjoys studying state flowers. Each state in America, as well as the District of Columbia, has chosen a flower as its own.

State flowers were often selected for their specific meanings. The initial selections were made by schoolchildren, women's clubs, and other groups. In most states the legislature officially adopted the flower. When you research state flowers as Ashley Stevanovich does, you'll find that many of the state flowers are actually trees as well. Some states have chosen the same species as state tree and as state flower.

Ashley Stevanovich has learned that many of the state flowers are from other parts of the world and were chosen because of their beauty or importance, not because they represent the natural flora of the state they represent. Maine selected a state flower that is not a flower at all, the white pine tassel and cone. The pine cone is the female structure that bears the seeds, and the tassel is a smaller cone-like structure that produces pollen. Botanically, both the cone and tassel are not considered flowers.