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List of Florida state symbols

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The state of Florida has numerous symbols defined by state statutes. The majority of the symbols were chosen after 1950; only the two oldest symbols—the state flower (chosen in 1909), and the state bird (chosen in 1927), and the state nickname (chosen in 1970)—are not listed in the 2010 Florida Statutes.[1] Under the Statutes, all state symbols fall under the purview of the Executive Branch (Title IV), Secretary of State (Chapter 15), as part of the secretary's role as "Chief Cultural Officer".[2]

Location of the state of Florida in the United States of America

Insignia

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Further information: List of U.S. state, district, and territorial insignia
Type Symbol Description Year Image Statute
Flag Flag A red saltire (diagonal cross) on a white background, with the seal of Florida superimposed on the center. The current flag was adopted in 1985, when the state seal was last changed. The basic design, however, dates back to 1900, when the design was approved by voters in a constitutional amendment.[3] 1985   15.012[4]
State day/week Pascua Florida Pascua Florida (Flowery Easter) is usually celebrated on April 2, unless the 2nd falls on a weekend. When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the governor may declare either the preceding Friday or following Monday as the state day. According to the 2007 Florida Senate Statutes, the Governor of Florida may annually issue a proclamation designating April 2 as the state day and designating the week of March 27 to April 2 as Pascua Florida week. Pascua Florida commemorates the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de León on April 2, 1513. 1953 — 683.06
Motto "In God We Trust" The state motto was not adopted until 2006; however, it has appeared on the state seal since 1868. 2006   15.0301[5]
Nickname Sunshine State The use of "Sunshine State" has been in place since 1949, when it first appeared on license plates. The nickname was made official by the state legislature in 1970. 1970 — [6]
Seal Seal of Florida The seal has evolved since 1868, although the basic elements have remained consistent. Florida statute states: "The great seal of the state shall be of the size of the American silver dollar, having in the center thereof a view of the sun's rays over a highland in the distance, a sabal palmetto palm tree, a steamboat on water, and an Indian female scattering flowers in the foreground, encircled by the words 'Great Seal of the State of Florida: In God We Trust.'"[7] The most recent revisions were made in 1985.[8] 1985   15.03[7]

Florida plants

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Statute
Flower Orange blossom
(Citrus sinensis) 		The fragrant blossoms of the orange tree also represent the largest portion of the state's agriculture industry, which stands behind only tourism as a proportion of the state's economy. 1909   – [9]
Tree Sabal palm
(Sabal palmetto) 		The sabal palmetto is native to all of Florida, and has been widely used as both a landscape plant and as a food source; hearts of palm are the bud of the tree. 1953   15.031[10]
Wildflower Tickseed
(Coreopsis) 		There are several native tickseed species to Florida, though many nonnative species are widely planted in highway beautification and roadsides. 1991   15.0345[11]

Fauna

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Statute
Animal Florida panther
(Puma concolor coryi) 		The Florida panther is a critically endangered subspecies of the cougar native to southern Florida. While its numbers have rebounded from a low of about 25 in the early 1990s, there are only about 100 alive in the wild.[12] 1982   15.0353[13]
Bird Northern mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos) 		The northern mockingbird, native throughout Florida year-round, is also the state bird for four other southern states. Legislation was introduced in 2023 to change it to the flamingo.[14] 1927   – [15]
Butterfly Zebra longwing
(Heliconius charithonia) 		The zebra longwing is a common sight in Florida; the adult butterfly has a long lifespan because it consumes pollen as well as nectar, extending its lifespan from roughly two weeks to about three months.[16] 1996   15.0382[17]
Fish
(fresh water) 		Florida largemouth bass
(Micropterus salmoides floridanus) 		The largemouth bass is a sought-after sportfish, which is also the state (freshwater) fish for four other states. The Florida subspecies has smaller scales and grows larger than the northern subspecies.[18] 1975   15.036[19]
Fish
(salt water) 		Atlantic sailfish
(Istiophorus platypterus) 		The Atlantic sailfish is sometimes known as Istiophorus albicans,[20] but the Florida legislature used the nomenclature I. Platypterus in the statute naming the state's salt water fish. 1975   15.037[21]
Heritage cattle breed Florida Cracker cattle Florida Cracker cattle is among the oldest breeds in the U.S., descended from Spanish cattle which arrived in the 1500s.[22] 2018   15.0527[23]
Horse Florida Cracker Horse The Florida Cracker Horse is a small horse, descended from horses brought to the state from Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries. 2008   15.0526[24]
Mammal
(marine) 		Florida manatee
(Trichechus manatus latirostris) 		The statute naming the manatee as the state marine mammal did not identify the specific species, but the Florida manatee subspecies is the only one normally found in Florida waters.[25] 1975   15.038[26]
Mammal
(salt water) 		Porpoise
(Tursiops truncatus) 		The statute naming the porpoise as the state saltwater mammal did not identify the specific species, but it is generally believed that the reference was intended to recognize the bottlenose dolphin.[27] Dolphins are dark gray on top, and very pale gray on their underside, and range in length from 6 to 13 feet. 1975   15.038[26]
Reptile American alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis) 		1987   15.0385[28]
Reptile
(salt water) 		Loggerhead sea turtle
(Caretta caretta) 		Florida is one of the world's two largest nesting areas for the loggerhead sea turtle.[29] The turtle is a large (up to 7 feet) and heavy (up to 350 lbs) reptile with yellowish-to-brown skin and a reddish-brown shell. 2008   15.0386[30]
Shell Horse conch
(Triplofusus papillosus) 		The horse conch is one of the largest univalves in the world, capable of reaching a length of 24 inches. The young shells are often orange, while older specimens are usually greyish-white. They are found along the entire coast of Florida, in intertidal flats and coastal areas to a depth of 20 feet. 1969   15.033[31]
Tortoise Gopher tortoise
(Gopherus polyphemus) 		2008   15.03861[32]

Geology

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Statute
Gem Moonstone Moonstone does not occur in Florida, but after the Apollo 11 mission, in which astronauts launched from Cape Canaveral landed on the moon, the state legislature chose to commemorate the mission by designating the moonstone as the state gemstone.[33] 1970   15.034[34]
Soil Myakka soil Myakka soil is the most widespread soil in the state. It is unique to Florida.[35] 1989   15.047[36]
Stone Agatized coral Agatized coral, which is a form of silicified coral similar to petrified wood, is found in Florida near Tampa Bay and in the Withlacoochee River (Suwannee River) region. It is the only gemstone found in the state.[37] 1979   15.0336[38]

Culture

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Type Symbol Description Year Image Statute
Anthem "Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)" 2008   15.0326[39]
Beverage Orange juice Oranges are the most valuable agricultural product of the state, and over 95% of Florida's orange production is processed, the vast majority of which becomes orange juice.[40] 1967   15.032[41]
Dessert Strawberry shortcake Plant City, Florida annually hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival, where strawberry shortcakes are the signature dessert, and the region's strawberries account for 75% of the United States' winter strawberry crop. Specifically, a shortcake topped with sliced strawberries and "natural Florida dairy topping" (whipped cream) is designated the official state dessert. 2022   S.B. 1006[42]
Festival "Calle Ocho-Open House 8" "El Festival de la Calle Ocho" (the Calle Ocho Festival) is a one-day rumba (fiesta) held at the end of the Miami Carnaval. The Calle Ocho Festival is held in March on Calle Ocho in Little Havana, Miami (Southwest 8th Street from 27th Avenue and 4th Avenue).[43] 1980   15.0395[44]
Fruit Orange Oranges are the most valuable agricultural commodity of the state, which produces almost three-quarters of all oranges produced in the United States. 2005   15.0315[45]
Citrus archive Florida Citrus Archives Housed at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, the Florida Citrus Archives are an extensive collection of citrus related materials, believed by many in the citrus industry to be the largest collection of its kind.[46] 2001 15.0325[47]
Pie Key lime pie Key lime pie (traditionally made with Key limes from the Florida Keys) is made with condensed milk, which does not require refrigeration, an important consideration in the Keys before the widespread availability of refrigeration. Prior to the construction of the Overseas Railroad, fresh milk was a rare commodity. Key lime pie made with Key limes (as opposed to Persian limes) is pale yellow, not green. 2006   15.052[48]
Play Cross and Sword Cross and Sword, a pageant based on the play written by Paul Green, is a dramatization of the Spanish colonization of St. Augustine, Florida, the nation's first city. The stories of Pedro Menéndez, Jean Ribault, and Father López, some of Florida's earliest European settlers, are told.[49] 1973 15.035[50]
Rodeo Silver Spurs Rodeo The Silver Spurs Rodeo, which began as an effort to buy war bonds, is now billed as the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River.[51] 1994   15.0391[52]
Railroad museum Gold Coast Railroad Museum Founded in 1956, the Gold Coast Railroad Museum was built on the grounds of the former Naval Air Station Richmond in Miami, Florida. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is one of three official state railroad museums in Florida.[53] 1984   15.045(2)(b)[54]
Railroad museum Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, in Parrish, Florida, is one of three official state railroad museums in Florida.[55] 1984   15.045(2)(c)[54]
Song "Old Folks at Home" From 1913–1935, the state song was "Florida, My Florida," by Rev. Dr. C. V. Waugh, sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum."[56] Stephen Foster named the song "Old Folks at Home" but it is often referred to as "Swanee River."[57] 1935[A]   15.0327[58]

State quarter

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See also

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Notes

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A The state song was originally selected through a House Concurrent resolution in 1935,[57] but was defined by statute (with revised lyrics) in 2008.[59]

References

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  1. ^ "The 2010 Florida Statutes". Florida Legislature. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  2. ^ "Office of the Secretary of State". State of Florida, Department of State. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  3. ^ "Florida's Historic Flags:State Flag, present". Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs. Office of Cultural and Historical Programs, State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  4. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.012". State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "2018 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0301". State of Florida. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "How did Florida get its nickname, The Sunshine State?". State of Florida. April 8, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.03". State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  8. ^ "The Florida State Seal". Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs. Office of Cultural and Historical Programs, State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  9. ^ "Florida State Symbols:State Flower". Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs. Office of Cultural and Historic Programs, State of Florida. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  10. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.031". State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  11. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0345". State of Florida. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  12. ^ Anderson, Mickie (September 23, 2010). "Study: Florida panther population in better shape than before; still a long way to go". University of Florida. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  13. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0353". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  14. ^ Bell, James (2023-12-13). "A battle over birds: Bills filed to make flamingo the official state bird of Florida". Policy and Politics. Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  15. ^ "Florida State Symbols:State Bird". Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs. Office of Cultural and Historic Programs, State of Florida. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  16. ^ Daniels, Jaret C. (January 2008). "Featured Creatures: Heliconius charitonia". University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  17. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0382". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  18. ^ Bridges, Andres; Bester, Cathleen. "Biological Profiles: Largemouth bass". Florida Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  19. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.036". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  20. ^ "Sailfish". Florida Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  21. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.037". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  22. ^ Florida Cracker Cattle, The Livestock Conservancy, retrieved May 29, 2019
  23. ^ "2018 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0527". State of Florida. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0526". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  25. ^ Deutsch, C.J.; Self-Sullivan, C.; Mignucci-Giannoni, A. (2008). "Trichechus manatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T22103A9356917. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T22103A9356917.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  26. ^ a b "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.038". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  27. ^ "The State Saltwater Mammal". Office of Cultural and Historical Programs, State of Florida. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  28. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0385". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  29. ^ "Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. January 19, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  30. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0386". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  31. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.033". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  32. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.03861". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  33. ^ "Moonstone: Florida state symbols". Cultural, Historical, and Information Programs. Office of Cultural and Historical Programs, State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  34. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.034". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  35. ^ "Myakka -- Florida State Soil". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  36. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.047". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  37. ^ "Gemstones: Chalcedony". United States Geological Survey. July 17, 2002. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  38. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0336". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  39. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0326". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  40. ^ "Commodity Profile: Citrus" (PDF). Agricultural Issues Center, University of California. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 31, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  41. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.032". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  42. ^ "Florida S.B. 1006". State of Florida. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  43. ^ "Calle Ocho Festival, A Special Day To Experience, Hispanic Culture in Miami". Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  44. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0395". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  45. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0315". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  46. ^ "2001 Florida Senate Bill Analysis" (PDF). Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  47. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0325". State of Florida. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  48. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.052". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  49. ^ "Florida Division of Historical Resoiurces". Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  50. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.035". State of Florida. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  51. ^ Jacobson, Susan (February 18, 2005). "Back in the Saddle: Even As Osceola County Changes Dramatically, Cracker Cowboy Culture Goes On, Epitomized By Silver Spurs". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  52. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0391". State of Florida. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  53. ^ "Gold Coast Railroad Museum website". Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  54. ^ a b "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.045". State of Florida. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  55. ^ "Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum website". Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  56. ^ "Rev. C. V. Waugh". Alachua County Library District Heritage Collection. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  57. ^ a b "Florida State Symbols:The State Song". Office of Cultural and Historic Programs, State of Florida. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  58. ^ "2010 Florida Statutes, Title IV, Chapter 15 section 15.0327". State of Florida. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  59. ^ Kleindienst, Linda (April 25, 2008). "Senate cleans up lyrics of state song". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
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