Kansas State Flower and State Bird
Western Meadowlark ~ Sturnella neglecta
A Kansas naturalist had this to say about the Western Meadowlark: "Kansas is primarily a prairie state, and the Meadowlark is a prairie bird, typical of Kansas. So many of our birds range only in parts of the state, while the Meadowlark is extremely abundant in every county. Those traveling the state by car or train could scarcely fail to encounter these birds in every mile of the journey, since they have the habit of perching along the fence lines in the open. It is a strikingly beautiful bird, and every child is familiar with its rich liquid songs." The Western Meadowlark is truly a part of Kansas in all seasons, through drought and blizzard, sunshine and rain.
Sunflower ~ Helianthus annuus
One of nature's largest flowers, the Sunflower is a sunburst of radiant yellow. Its golden banners are made up of a circle of ray flowers that attract insects to the hundreds of little brown seed-bearing disk flowers in the centers. Each disk floret is a five-pointed tube. In this are five stamens which have their tips joined. The pistil, growing from the seed container, pushes against these tips and forces them out of the tube, making the pollen burst out like a yellow star.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
Kansas Wildflower - Common Sunflower
Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.
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