States use official symbols to celebrate their unique natural history and cultural heritage. These emblems publicly recognize species that thrive within a region and hold significance for residents. Every state has chosen a flower to represent its identity, and this article details Wyoming’s floral representative, exploring its designation, appearance, environment, and history.
Identifying the Official State Flower
The official state flower of Wyoming is the Wyoming Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia). This perennial herb was formally adopted by an act of the state legislature on January 31, 1917. The selection was codified into state law, officially recognizing the plant under the Wyoming Statutes (W.S. 8-3-104).
Appearance and Physical Characteristics
The Indian Paintbrush is a striking plant that can reach heights of up to three feet. Its stems are often unbranched and support sparse, narrow, linear leaves. The most recognizable feature is the brilliant, brush-like cluster of color at the top of the stem.
The vibrant colors that give the plant its name are not the petals of the flower. These showy, modified leaves are called bracts, which are typically bright red or scarlet. The true flowers are small, yellowish-green, and beak-like, partially concealed within the colorful bracts. While red is the most familiar shade, the bracts can also appear in hues of orange, pink-purple, or white.
Ecology and Unique Biological Traits
The plant is found across a wide range of dry, open habitats, including rocky slopes, arid plains, and sagebrush scrub. It is a hardy species that grows in elevations ranging from lowlands to high montane areas, sometimes reaching over 10,000 feet. The Indian Paintbrush possesses a biological strategy that allows it to thrive in these demanding western environments.
The species is classified as a hemiparasite; it performs photosynthesis but also draws sustenance from other plants. It uses specialized structures called haustoria to tap into the root systems of nearby host plants, often sagebrush, to steal water and nutrients. This semi-parasitic nature makes the Indian Paintbrush difficult to cultivate outside of its natural setting, as it requires a companion plant to flourish.
The Historical Selection Process
The selection of the Indian Paintbrush followed a spirited campaign that began in the early 1900s. The movement was driven largely by influential women’s groups, including the Wyoming Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, a professor at the University of Wyoming and a prominent suffragist, became the plant’s champion.
The selection process included a poll of Wyoming schoolchildren, where the fringed gentian was initially a popular favorite. Despite this early preference and objections citing the Paintbrush’s parasitic nature, Hebard drafted the necessary legislation. The flower’s hardiness and prevalence across the state were seen as fitting symbols for Wyoming, leading to its formal recognition by the legislature in 1917.