Missouri State Flower and State Bird
Eastern Bluebird ~ Sialia sialis
Gentle in manner and brilliantly colored, the Eastern Bluebird delights all who see it. The Bluebird "is like a speck of clear blue sky at the end of a storm," said Henry Thoreau. The settlers of Plymouth colony noted the rusty breast of the Eastern Bluebird and called it the "blue robin." Like the robin, the Bluebird avoids the deep forest. He prefers the open country, roadside trees, orchards, and woodlands with plenty of tree hollows for nesting.
Red Hawthorn ~ Crataegus mollis
The Red Hawthorn is a handsome tree which in spring bursts into masses of white or pinkish blossoms. The tree, which grows to a height of thirty feet, is distinguished for its bright red edible fruit, often used for jelly and preserves. Its leaves have irregularly pointed margins and undersides covered with heavy down. Its thick foliage makes the Red Hawthorn a safe, sheltered place for the cardinals and brown thrashers who particularly like to nest in it. The Red Hawthorn's botanical name is taken from a Greek word meaning strength, and it refers to the extreme toughness of the wood.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
Missouri Wildflower - Dutchman's Breeches
Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.
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