Do you know Arkansas's official state symbols?
Do you know Arkansas's official state symbols?
Each state in America boasts its own culture, history, and natural beauty. To represent such diversity, people from these states have chosen their own set of symbols and customs. Specific flags, songs, mottos, flowers, and even fruits commemorate the uniqueness of individual states. Some of these symbols border on the bizarre: Texas, for example, has made the Dutch oven its official state cooking pot. Other symbols are more universal, like state birds.
Many people remember learning about their states' history back in elementary school. But can you still remember your state bird? How about your state flower? To test your state knowledge, Stacker compiled a list of symbols in Arkansas.
Clue: Arkansas state fish
Clue: Gov. Asa Hutchinson officially made this prehistoric creature the state fish of Arkansas in March 2019 following an 11-year-old boy's campaign. The primitive fish is the largest species in its family and is one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America.
Answer: Arkansas state fish
Answer: Alligator gar
Clue: Arkansas state mammal
Most predators of this widespread American ungulate, including the grey wolf, have been eliminated from much of their range. This results in overpopulation and, along with human development taking over their habitat, the result is that this animal is increasingly seen in suburbs.
Answer: Arkansas state mammal
- State mammal: White-tailed deer
Clue: Arkansas state song
Arkansas recognizes four songs, all officially adopted by the 1987 General Assembly. The state songs were written by Terry Rose and Gary Klaff and Wayland Holyfield, respectively. The anthem is by Eva Ware Barnett, and the state's official historic song features lyrics written by the Arkansas State Song Selection Committee in 1947 and music composed by Col. Sanford Faulkner around 1850.
Answer: Arkansas state song
- Answer:
--- Songs: “Oh, Arkansas," "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)"
--- Anthem: "Arkansas"
--- Historical song: "The Arkansas Traveler"
Clue: Arkansas state insect
State insect: This species was one of the first domesticated insects in history. It now has populations on every continent except Antarctica, thanks to humans making use of its pollination work.
State butterfly: While males of this species are orange. Females are dark blue and larger than males. This insect is unique for its practice of laying eggs around the base of its host plant, rather than directly on the plant itself.
Answer: Arkansas state insect
- State insect: European honey bee (Apis mellifera)
- State butterfly: Diana fritillary butterfly (Speyeria diana)
Clue: Arkansas state tree
Go to any forest in Arkansas, and the dominant evergreen tree you see will likely be your region’s state tree. Arkansas farms plant this tree “like corn,” according to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, as it is the most profitable timber species in the state; but it can also quickly colonize new areas on its own and is commonly seen along newly cleared roads and abandoned land.
Answer: Arkansas state tree
Answer: Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)
Clue: Arkansas state bird
If you’ve ever woken to the sound of birds outside your window, there’s a good chance the culprit is this extremely vocal bird. There's a reason it hangs around your house, too: This species' diet is largely comprised of insects commonly found in people's backyards such as caterpillars, ants, and grasshoppers.
Answer: Arkansas state bird
Answer: Northern mockingbird
Clue: Arkansas state flower
This flower was designated as the flower for Arkansas in 1901, a period of time when the state was one of the country's biggest apple producers. While disease and frost eventually tarnished the state's reputation as such, this flower still remains as a symbol for that time. These flowers can be seen in clusters of pink and white, giving off a honeysuckle scent.
