Ohio State Flower and State Bird

Cardinal ~ Richmondena cardinalis
The male Cardinal brings the female tidbits of berries and insects during the two weeks that she incubates the three bluish-white eggs spotted with brown. While she prepares another nest for a second set of eggs, the male often takes complete charge of the fledglings, feeding them grasshoppers and beetles. So strong is the male Cardinal’s instinct to feed young birds that he sometimes thrusts food down the throats of nestlings of other species.

Red Carnation ~ Dianthus caryophyllus
The Red Carnation, a European native, has been cultivated for the last two thousand years. Its name is derived from the Latin carnis, flesh, because the flower is commonly thought of as being pale pink, or flesh-colored. It was honored with the title of state flower of Ohio in memory of President William McKinley. He was born in Niles, Ohio in 1843, and it was his favorite flower. More than one hundred varieties of Carnations have been developed by man from the original wild pink, which had only five petals. Carnations come in many colors, all with highly fragrant flowers. Some varieties have a narrow edging of a second color trimming the petals.

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



Ohio Wildflower - Harebell

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