Arkansas State Flower and State Bird

Mockingbird ~ Mimus polyglottos
The latin name for the Mockingbird means "many-tongued mimic." Besides imitating the songs of other birds, this star performer also sings at great length in phrases that are pure Mockingbird. "Out of the Mockingbird's throat, the musical shuttle," came the song that awakened the poet in Walt Whitman. Indeed, the song of the Mockingbird is a welcome sound to any poet's ear, for this bird has a passion for singing and a beautiful, liquid voice.

Apple Blossom ~ Pyrus malus
Most of the earliest apple trees in the northern part of Arkansas owed their existence to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. From Pennsylvania, he traveled to present day Ohio, sowing apple seeds as he went. And thus many of his original apple seeds are reported to have been planted in Arkansas. The Apple Blossom is deep pink in the bud stage, and the open flowers are white, faintly streaked with pink. In most parts of the United States, the month of May is welcomed by everyone as the Apple Blossom month.

From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:



Arkansas Wildflower - Tickseed

Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.