Wyoming State Flower and State Bird

Western Meadowlark ~ Sturnella neglecta
In plumage there is little to distinguish the Western Meadowlark from his eastern counterpart. Both have streaked upper parts, a yellow breast with a black V, and white outer tail feathers. The Westerner, however, is somewhat paler. In the realm of song, all resemblance ceases. Unlike the Easterner’s plaintive, whistled song; the Western Meadowlark’s phrases contain hints of the wood thrush, the Baltimore oriole, and the bobolink.

Indian Paintbrush ~ Castilleja linariaefolia
The Indian paintbrush is one of a group of plants that seem, at first glance, to bear bright flowers, but a closer look shows that appearances are sometimes deceiving. Actually the tubular creamy flowers, about one inch in length, are almost hidden by the sepals, which are tipped with orange red, and the light-red bracts, which are one-to-two inches long. The real leaves are green. They, and the rest of the plant, are covered with short fine hairs. This member of the figwort family grows to about two feet in height, and near the ground it divides into several stalks which in turn have little branches. The plant resembles a paintbrush.

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



Wyoming Wildflower - Indian Paintbrush

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