STATE FLOWER
Florida's State Flower: Orange Blossom
Florida adopted the orange blossom (Citrus sinensis) as its state flower in 1909, echoing the outsized role citrus has long played in the state's economy.
A Fragrance Tied to Citrus Country
Much like Delaware's peach blossom, Florida's choice reflected an industry as much as a bloom — the state's orange groves generated substantial export revenue at the turn of the century. The small white flower is intensely fragrant, and its scent is often used as shorthand for describing orange groves in full bloom each spring.
QUICK FACT
Orange blossom water, distilled from the flower, remains a common flavoring ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern baking.
