STATE FLOWER
Missouri's State Flower: Hawthorn Blossom
The hawthorn (Crataegus) blossom has represented Missouri since 1923, when the General Assembly made it the state's official floral emblem.
A Tree, Not Just a Bloom
Unlike many state flowers that come from small perennials, the hawthorn is a full tree, capable of reaching up to 13 meters tall. It often loses its leaves early in late summer due to common leaf diseases, but that doesn't slow it down much — the tree survives the setback easily and returns to bloom again the following spring.
QUICK FACT
Hawthorn trees produce small red berries in fall, which are a valuable food source for birds through the winter.
