Rhode Island State Flower and State Bird

Rhode Island Red
In Adamsville, Rhode Island, there is a monument to the Rhode Island Red, the famous bird with fan clubs as far away as India and Australia. Known throughout the world, the Rhode Island Red breed of poultry traces its ancestry back to a farm in Little Compton in the year 1854. This is the hen that gave the poultry industry to the world when it replaced the scrawny barnyard fowl. It is well-known for its succulent meat as well as for high-quality egg laying.

Violet ~ Viola palmata
Garden Violets are generally hybrids and may be purple, blue, yellow, white, or combinations of these, sometimes with double flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The Violet has long been regarded as a symbol of modesty. Followers of Napoleon, who promised to return from Elba with Violets in the spring, used the blossom as a badge. Various species, particularly the sweet Violet, have been used for perfume, dye, and medicine. Though in winter a Violet seems to disappear, it does not die. The rootstock shrinks, but with the coming of spring it sprouts anew. Violets have five petals, one upper pair and another pair separated by a broader petal.

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



Rhode Island Wildflower - Sweet White Violet

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