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State Flowers

State Flower of North Carolina

Flower: American Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

In the July 1936 issue of Flower Grower Magazine, the state flower was listed as the oxeye daisy. It was said to be a favorite of school children. But some people said they had been taught that the goldenrod was North Carolina’s state flower.

By 1941, garden clubs and school children were clamoring for an official state flower. The dogwood, daisy, and azalea were considered. More surprising choices included the pinecone and Venus’ flytrap. The flame azalea was nearly adopted, but the dogwood won in the end. It was deemed more appropriate because it grows statewide and is abundant.