For a place as vast and ecologically distinct as Alaska, selecting a single floral emblem requires a species that embodies the spirit of the northern landscape. This choice reflects the state’s rugged beauty, its history of perseverance, and the deep connection between its people and the environment.
Identifying the State Flower and Its Appearance
The official state flower of Alaska is the Alpine Forget-Me-Not, known scientifically as Myosotis alpestris. This perennial plant is distinguished by its clusters of small, true-blue flowers, which create a striking visual contrast against the surrounding green foliage. Each flower head is quite small, typically measuring only a quarter to a third of an inch in diameter.
At the center of the five rounded, sky-blue petals is a bright yellow eye, sometimes surrounded by a white inner ring, which helps distinguish it from other forget-me-not varieties. The plant itself is a low, clump-forming species that generally grows between five and twelve inches tall. Its leaves and stems are covered in fine, fuzzy hairs. The Alpine Forget-Me-Not blooms during the height of the Alaskan summer, with its peak flowering period generally occurring from late June through late July.
Where the Flower Grows
The Alpine Forget-Me-Not is well-adapted to the state’s harsh climate, thriving in cold, rugged landscapes. Its preferred habitat is predominantly in alpine meadows and along stony, high-elevation slopes. It can be found naturally at altitudes ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level in some regions.
The flower’s widespread distribution is a significant factor in its symbolic status, as it grows across much of the state’s interior and mountain ranges. While it is particularly common in open forests and moist, well-drained soil, it demonstrates a remarkable ability to flourish even in difficult environments. This hardiness allows the flower to be seen from the Chugach Mountains to the Kenai Peninsula, often along hiking trails and riverbanks.
Legislative Selection and Cultural Significance
The history of the flower’s selection began long before Alaska achieved statehood. In the early 1900s, the Pioneers of Alaska, an organization of early residents, adopted the bloom as their official emblem, recognizing its prevalence and beauty. This popular choice led to its formal designation as the territorial flower in 1917 by the territorial legislature.
Its status was reaffirmed as the official floral emblem of Alaska in 1949, a decade before statehood was granted. The flower’s significance extends beyond legislation, embodying the cultural value of remembrance and perseverance. It symbolizes the enduring affection and pioneering spirit of early Alaskans. The deep blue color of the Forget-Me-Not is also cited as an inspiration for the blue background of the Alaskan state flag, linking the flower directly to the state’s most prominent symbol.