Wisconsin, like many states, possesses a rich collection of official symbols representing its natural heritage and history. These emblems, from the state bird to the state tree, offer a glimpse into the natural beauty of the Badger State. The selection of the state flower is a particularly interesting story, rooted in public participation and a love for the local environment. This process designated a small, native bloom as the official floral representative of Wisconsin.
The Official State Flower
Wisconsin’s official state flower is the common meadow violet, also known as the wood violet. This perennial species is native to the eastern North American woodlands. Its scientific classification is typically cited as Viola sororia or Viola papilionacea. Wisconsin shares this designation with a handful of other states, including Illinois and New Jersey. The official adoption of this flower culminated a long process that began in the early 20th century.
How the Violet Was Chosen
The journey to an official state flower began in 1908, orchestrated by Superintendent of Public Instruction C.P. Cary. Recognizing the lack of a formal floral emblem, Cary initiated a statewide referendum among schoolchildren to select a favorite native flower. This public contest was held in two phases to narrow down the choices among the state’s youth.
The initial vote resulted in four finalists: the wild rose, the white water lily, the wood violet, and the trailing arbutus. The final tally was completed on Arbor Day in 1909, with the wood violet emerging as the winner, receiving over 67,000 votes.
Despite the students’ popular decision, the violet remained the unofficial state flower for several decades. In 1948, the Youth Committee of the State Centennial Commission discovered the lack of formal legislative adoption. A bill was drafted and presented to the legislature, officially making the wood violet the state flower when it was signed into law on June 4, 1949.
Describing the Wisconsin Violet
The wood violet is an herbaceous perennial plant that typically grows four to six inches tall. Its foliage is easily recognizable, featuring glossy, deep-green, heart-shaped leaves. These leaves grow in a basal rosette close to the ground, allowing the plant to form dense colonies.
The flowers are small, usually about one inch in diameter, and exhibit blue-violet to purple hues. The five petals include a lower, broader petal for pollinators, and the center often displays a white throat with darker purple veining. The violet is one of the state’s earliest spring blooms, appearing from April through June in moist, rich soils. It thrives in various habitats across Wisconsin, including open woodlands, stream banks, and shaded grasslands.